ACC claimants who have had their private details exposed in a major privacy breach are launching legal action to claim more compensation.© 2012 Television New Zealand Ltd
Nearly 7000 clients have been offered less than a few hundred dollars in compensation after their personal details were accidentally emailed to former National Party figure Bronwyn Pullar.
However, the mother of a 12-year-old client involved in the privacy leak claims that figure is not enough.
The mother, whose identity cannot be revealed because her daughter is a sexual abuse victim, claims ACC's $250 compensation offer is insulting.
"I want her to see that those that have done wrong are going to front up and treat it with the appropriate, the appropriate response and not just be fobbed off with a bit of pocket money."
Her daughter is one of 200 sensitive claimants offered $250. Two months since the offer was made, only 84 have claimed the money.
She, along with other ACC claimants, is planning to pursue ACC for a payment worth thousands of dollars
"If you're just one person then $250 is a lot of effort to go to the Privacy Commissioner and the Human Rights Tribunal, but if there's a group then you know it makes more sense to go and we'll probably take some group action," said lawyer John Miller.
So far ACC have paid out $21,000 in compensation to privacy leak victims in exchange for their silence.
"There may be people in ACC right now who're saying 'well most people haven't taken up this offer, that's a bit of a win for us' - well actually hold the phone," Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague.
ACC refused requests for an interview, saying they are bound by a confidentiality clause in the compensation agreement.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/acc-claimants-plan-legal-bid-more-compensation-5108082
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