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Falls in home costing $1.8B a year

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 1:38p.m.

ACC Minister Judith Collins says more than 100,000 working age people fall over

ACC Minister Judith Collins says more than 100,000 working age people fall over

People falling over at home cost the country $1.8 billion a year and the Government wants to do something about it.

ACC Minister Judith Collins says more than 100,000 working age people fall over and more than 10,000 of them are so seriously injured they can't continue in their jobs.

"Falls cost the country an estimated $1.8 billion in annual social and economic costs and they're happening to people at the most productive time of their lives - when they run households, support families and hold senior positions at work," she said.

Ms Collins is launching a programme called Idea Nation and she's asking people to use their "number eight wire thinking" to come up with ways to help prevent falls.

Prizes are going to be offered for the best ideas from schools, universities, businesses and the public, but changing the numbers won't be easy.

"No one in the world has really been able to come up with a solution for reducing falls in the home," Ms Collins said.

NZN

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Comments

05 Feb 2012 04:28p.m.

hmmmmm... wrote:

Jan, accidents are exactly that...accidents. Punishing everyone for what only some are doing is not fair. God forbid you end up taking a fall which is a genuine accident and get landed with financial difficulty because of your own idea to cancel ACC? That wouldn't be very nice now would it. Maybe more thorough investigations into ACC claims (especially ongoing ones)and separating genuine claims from lazy people who are sick of their jobs.
I would like to think as a long term tax payer and full time worker that if I was unfortunate enough to have an accident I wouldn't be left in financial hardship while trying to pay a mortgage, provide for my family and recouperate from an injury in order to get back into the work force.....

02 Feb 2012 11:34a.m.

jan wrote:

cancel ACC and see how many people have accidents when they realise poor thinking, stupidity and lack of commen sence means they will not get a pay out. Also if they do continue ACC make it only $200 a week not a percentage of their wage. I know there are a lot of variables in jobs, non paying kids and foreigners who haven't paid tax, stay at home parents. I personally think ACC is costing this country big time and it should at least be overhalled. Also do know there are genuine accidents, and those people do need help. Crusher Collins for boy racers but a wuss with ACC.