Barkes Corner: 07 543 0026 | Brookfield Vets: 07 576 1818
Accidents...
ACCIDENTS
I talked to an American the other day about the differences between state funded insurance versus private insurance. The US is perceived as a litigious society whereas in contrast here in NZ we have an entitlement to public health expectation. Both systems provide for health coverage in the event of accident but the responsibility for an accident is perceived by an overall authority, ACC here in NZ, to pursue culpability action whereas in the US it is on a case by case basis.
Some might argue that the NZ system is too lenient, abdicating responsibility unless there is overwhelming grounds on an individual basis and biased toward severity and public pressure in a group or company accident. These arguments apply to the US system as well but additionally the ability to pursue legal action on a no win no fee basis increases our perception of individual responsibility, whether there are fewer accidents as a result I don't know.
Having been looked after excellently by Tauranga Hospital, provided for through ACC and its subsidiary systems and supported wonderfully by family, friends, workmates and clients in a recent accident I can attest to the efficiency and compassion involved in the kiwi way.
I ask myself of course where does culpability lie and as usual answer that both sides and the situation were to blame. Complacency though underpinned what happened, I had done it lots of times before and I neglected the variables that were a bit out of kilter and these totaled up to me suddenly, shockingly sitting on the ground, a memory flash of white hooves, a floppy arm, in the winded vacuum of a brain reset- take a bit more care in the future because you have got another chance.
Go Back to Peter's Corner
Some might argue that the NZ system is too lenient, abdicating responsibility unless there is overwhelming grounds on an individual basis and biased toward severity and public pressure in a group or company accident. These arguments apply to the US system as well but additionally the ability to pursue legal action on a no win no fee basis increases our perception of individual responsibility, whether there are fewer accidents as a result I don't know.
Having been looked after excellently by Tauranga Hospital, provided for through ACC and its subsidiary systems and supported wonderfully by family, friends, workmates and clients in a recent accident I can attest to the efficiency and compassion involved in the kiwi way.
I ask myself of course where does culpability lie and as usual answer that both sides and the situation were to blame. Complacency though underpinned what happened, I had done it lots of times before and I neglected the variables that were a bit out of kilter and these totaled up to me suddenly, shockingly sitting on the ground, a memory flash of white hooves, a floppy arm, in the winded vacuum of a brain reset- take a bit more care in the future because you have got another chance.
Brookfield Vets
Brookfield Shopping Centre
Otumoetai Road, Tauranga
(07) 576 1818
