Accident Compensation: Claim Review (Claimant)

Purpose of this Guide: Use this plan when a client has had their accident compensation cover declined or their ongoing entitlements suspended by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand. This guide is used by claimant advocates and lawyers to navigate the statutory dispute process, compile clinical evidence, and secure critical rehabilitative and financial support. It assists practitioners in preparing and lodging review applications and representing clients at independent review hearings.

Jurisdiction: New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation independent review framework (national registries). This parent plan covers the administrative review pathway. Subsequent appeals to the District Court are covered in the fork below.

The Process at a Glance: The process begins with auditing the Corporation's decline decision and triaging the medical and factual grounds of the dispute. The advocate gathers clinical records, diagnostic reports, and specialist statements to challenge the decline. A formal review application is lodged with the Corporation within the three-month statutory window. The parties may engage in early dispute resolution or mediation to settle the dispute without a hearing. If unresolved, the independent review organisation schedules a case conference to define the issues and set a hearing date. The reviewer conducts the formal hearing, evaluates the evidence, and issues a binding written decision within twenty-eight days.