ACC claims in steady decline

As the Government moves to address huge ACC deficits, new statistics show work-related injury claims have been declining steadily.

Statistics NZ figures released today show the number of work-related injury claims to ACC decreased by 4.2 per cent last year, down to 224,900 from 235,000 in 2007.

The figures indicate a steady decline, with the number of claims in 2007 down 4.7 per cent on 2005.

Labour-intensive occupations with traditionally high injury rates also saw a decrease in claims, with the injury rate dropping from 27 per cent of workers in 2007 to 23 per cent last year.

Claims for entitlement payments, which cover the costs of treatment or rehabilitation and compensate for loss of income, fell 10 per cent last year.

The total number of entitlement claims was 30,100 last year, down 3600 on 2007.

Machine operators and assemblers had the highest rate of injury , accounting for 23 per cent of all claims in 2008.

The statistics come as the government moves to reduce huge deficits at ACC, which showed a loss of $4.8 billion in the last financial year on top of a $2.4b loss the previous year.

Parliament yesterday passed the first reading of a bill which would raise levies and cut some entitlements, measures ACC Minister Nick Smith said were essential to deal with the deficits.

- NZPA