Man at wits' end after industrial asthma raises ACC disputes

Paul McKenna lives with little food, no power or adequate heating and sleeps on the floor.

After years of work sanding floors, he faces bankruptcy and homelessness. His only, tenuous, lifeline is ACC entitlements, which are once again up for review.

McKenna was diagnosed with industrial asthma after working as a floor sander in the Manawatu for approximately 18 years. He was exposed to various dusts and chemicals, including isocyanates.

He now hunkers down in a run-down Himatangi Beach home with broken windows, no power, no heating and sleeps on the floor with his dogs.

McKenna has been the subject of two ACC reviews and fears he may become homeless if his payments do not continue.

And even if they do, his compensation amount of a little more than $600 a week cannot sustain his living costs.

McKenna said he had reached his wits' end.

"The only thing that's kept me going is me dogs."

The ordeal started when he was hospitalised for three days in April 2015.

"They told me I couldn't go back to work . . . I'd have to apply for ACC."

This is where McKenna said the real struggle began.

"It took sometime with ACC, so I went and saw a local MP and he told me to go on the benefit. This wasn't enough to cover my mortgage, rates or insurance."

The case was finally accepted and McKenna began receiving weekly entitlements until September last year, when he was removed.

With debt mounting and the threat of losing his home, McKenna sought advocate Mike Kletzkin.

"Paul went on to weekly compensation but, after some time, was found through the vocational independence process to be able to work. Paul came to me because he was unhappy with what had happened."

Kletzkin took a look at his notes and felt the case hadn't been looked into properly.

McKenna had supplied specialist reports from a respiratory physician, stating he was unable to work. However, an ACC occupational physician found otherwise.

"Possibly what's a bit unfair about the process is that the occupational assessor is not allowed to take into account any medical information because they are not medically qualified," Kletzkin said.

After a review, McKenna's entitlements were reinstated. However he has been the subject of a post-review and fears he may once again lose his compensation.

An ACC spokesman said there was no plan "at this stage to suspend" McKenna's entitlements.

"ACC believes it has followed the required processes in a timely manner and maintained good communication throughout the vocational rehabilitation process, the review process, and the post-review process.

"We believe we have treated Mr McKenna respectfully."

He said the recent medical case review completed by an occupational medicine specialist found Mr McKenna was able to function at a sedentary-to-medium physical demand range, in a suitable working environment on a fulltime basis.

"ACC will consider vocational rehabilitation and support required to assist Mr McKenna to achieve work capacity within the confines of his injury limitations as outlined by the medical specialists who assess these matters."