The Accident Compensation Corporation has received 94 injury claims relating to the Christchurch terrorist attack as well as fatal claims for all 50 people killed in the attack on two mosques on March 15.
ACC Chief Operating Officer Mike Tully says 53 of the 94 injury claims involve gunshot wounds.
All acute medical care costs will be taken care of for everyone with injuries, as well as support with longer-term medical treatment, Mr Tully said today.
Anyone who was working in New Zealand will be entitled to weekly compensation while they recover, and ACC will also provide a range of supports such as home help, transportation assistance, and child care where required, he said.
ACC has received 28 weekly compensation claims, of which 20 are completed already, while two clients are ineligible because they’re receiving a benefit, and more information is being sought from six, Mr Tully said.
There've been 23 claims for mental injury, including 10 claims for people who did not suffer a physical injury, nor did the mental injury occur through the nature of their work, so are ineligible for cover under the current boundaries of the ACC scheme, he said.
"We are working very closely with other agencies – such as the DHB, police, Victims Support and MSD – to ensure these people are receiving the counselling support they need,” Mr Tully said.
He said ACC began preparing fatal claims for each deceased victim as police released the names last week and this morning received information on 41 victims from one funeral home, so now has details on all 50.
"Our priority now is working with families and funeral homes to arrange payment of funeral grants and the full range of entitlements – such as survivors’ grants and compensation for lost earnings for those who were working in New Zealand – as we receive details about each of the affected families," Mr Tully said.
ACC continues to operate a dedicated team in Christchurch, supported by a dedicated phone line 0800 080 273 (international +64 7859 8678) and direct email address christchurchresponse@acc.co.nz
This is to ensure all claims relating to the tragedy are fast-tracked so the victims and their families receive the support they need as quickly as possible, Mr Tully said.
He said ACC is still receiving a small number of new claims, and is working closely with other agencies, including police family liaison officers to connect with the families of everyone who may have been injured in the attack.
ACC has produced a fact sheet explaining the entitlements and support available, which has been translated into Malay, Indonesian, Farsi, Bengali, Urdu, Hindi and Arabic. It has been provided to the family liaison officers, and is available in the Christchurch community hub, and on the ACC website .
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