Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 9. May 4 1981
Criteria Tightened
Criteria Tightened
Another proposed cut is that lump sum compensation for permanent injury would not be payable unless the disability is 15 percent or more. The loss of an index finger or middle finger is a 12 percent disability. The loss of a toe or seven to twelve teeth is only a 6 percent disability. No one could disagree that these injuries are serious which as well as causing pain and suffering, could lose someone their job.
The Bill also proposes to abolish section 120 which provides for subjective assessment of accident victims. This would mean that, for example, a concert pianist would receive the same amount of compensation for the loss of a hand as would a radio announcer. The obvious difference in consequences such an injury would have for these two people would not be taken into account if the Bill becomes law.