MAA whole person impairment: a system designed to deny fair compensation


The Motor Accidents Authority Annual Report

The MAA of NSW published figures in the annual report showing that only 10 per cent of injured people are assessed at more than 10 per cent whole person impairment. This effectively excludes 90 per cent of people injured in motor vehicle accidents from claiming compensation for pain and suffering. Read more

Bipartisan criticism from the New South Wales Legislative Council

Ih December 2005 a committee of the New South Wales Parliament released its report calling for an overhaul of the personal injuries compensation system.

What the report said:

"The committee is very concerned that inconsistencies in access to compensation under the personal injury laws in NSW means that individuals who suffer injury are treated differently according to whether their injury occorred at work, in a motor vehicle or in a public place..."

But the government and the opposition have so far failed to act on the recommendations of the report.

Read the report

Rising insurers' profits but less compensation

The Cumpston Report

In 2005 the Law Council of Australia commissioned auditors to investigate insurers profits and payouts to injured people. It found that despite rising profits, payouts to injured people had not kept pace, resulting in windfall gains. Read the report

There was no litigation explosion

National trends in litigation

Research commissioned by the Law Council demonstrates that New South Wales was not the most litigious state in Australia, and that personal injury changes by the state government has brought about a sharp decline in cases. Read the report