Whilst this site is a community protest blog about the current failings in the workcover departments for workcover victims, it’s identical twin, fix-the-tac, is an outstanding community action group of victims of road trauma.
Almost everyone knows someone who is a victim of a road trauma or a work injury. Wether it be an injured person fighting to get their fair share of compensation from the greedy insurance companies, or a struggling employer trying to keep on top of the ever failing workcover department.
Why not share your road traffic accident story on the anonymous “Your Story” page on the fix-the-tac website, you can keep private, and use a fake name if you wish, but remember the more stories the action group gets, the more the governments involved will have to step up and act on their failings!
Why the TAC and Workcover are identical twins
Visit www.fixthetac.org and show some support!
You will be assigned a “claims manager” by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). These people may seem helpful and friendly. But their job is to minimise or defeat TAC claims so as to save money for the Victorian government. When these people contact you, you should be watchful and cautious, and you should always check their “advice” on important matters with your lawyers and/or seek input of the action group. Your only friends in the TAC system are your action group, your treating health professionals and your lawyers!
WARNING!! TAC Investigators and Video SurveillanceDuring the course of your claim you may be contacted by someone representing the Transport Accident Commission, seeking to conduct an interview or obtain a statement from you or requesting copies of medical records or other relevant documents. You should refuse these requests and your lawyer should be made aware of any such approaches immediately. You should respond to these requests by saying, “This matter is in the hands of my solicitors”, and then directing them to their office. You should also be aware that the TAC may, at any time, instruct investigators to follow you and obtain video surveillance film. In all likelihood you will not be aware that you are being observed and filmed. The purpose of video surveillance film and investigation reports is primarily to prove that you are faking or exaggerating your injuries. Should your matter proceed to a Court hearing, the insurance investigation reports and video surveillance films will be produced as evidence.
WARNING!! Medical ExaminationsSometimes during the assessment or progress of your TAC claim there is disagreement about the medical aspects of your injury or condition. In these circumstances you may be asked to attend appointments with doctors chosen by the TAC. These doctors are recognised by the courts as independent and highly-qualified specialists, but they have limited time to spend with you and have no interest in helping people who are faking or exaggerating. So, it is likely that you will be observed (and possibly filmed) when entering and leaving the building and before and after the formal examination by the doctor. Some people have told us that money or documents are “left” on the floor or other situations fabricated, to allow the doctor to use two-way mirrors and other devices to compare your movements and restrictions demonstrated during the formal examination with your ordinary movements and restrictions. Unfortunately, many people with genuine problems get unwittingly caught up in these processes, leading to delays and complications with claims and compensation payments. If you have a TAC claim, you need to lead AN ACCURATE LIFE. The way you move and behave with your injuries should be accurate and identical, whether you are at home, at the supermarket, in your own doctor’s office, in an insurance doctor’s office, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.
WARNING!! Internet SitesYou need to be careful when posting on social networking sites like facebook and twitter. Your comments, status updates and reporting of activities on these sites are not private! The insurers and their lawyers monitor these sites and are most interested in what you have to say about injuries, claims, activities etc.
WARNING!! Letters and documentsYou may also from time to time receive letters or documents from the TAC. Some of these look innocent enough, but it is difficult for non-lawyers to know. It is essential that you send all copies of any letters or documents immediately (as you receive them) to your lawyer.
etc. etc. etc…
So… You see, Workcover and the TAC are as good as identical , they are both maximally litigious unethical Government agencies who victimise those involved in road accidents or work injuries through various processes of bullying, incompetence, stalling, unnecessary administrative processes, bureaucracy and systemic corrupt practises. Both Workcover and the TAC are run like corporations, not a social support system!
@FixtheTAC An ode to fixthetac: http://t.co/dcNZjjbw
The TAC and WorkCover are identical twins http://t.co/UM5AEPfy
Wow, thanks for the extensive writeup
Really appreciate it!
One thing that is important to mention here is that lawyers are actually paid by the TAC to settle claims out of court. They are paid around $8,000 for their time. Because of this, less than reputable laywers may encourage an injured person to settle out of court for a lesser amount than they are due, or they might actually refuse to take their case in the first place if it is complex. A lawyer refusing your case does NOT mean it’s not worth taking up with another lawyer.
Maurice and Blackburn & Peter Burt appear to be reputable lawyers who are willing to fight the hard fights – however.
Thanks again
Fixthetac.org
Keep up the fantastic work at http://www.fixthetac.org/ and here is looking forward to growing old with you and making a real change to the fu*ked up systems!
The TAC and WorkCover are identical twins http://t.co/qK9cjopC via @WCVictimsdiary
Indeed! And you too – keep it up and don’t let anyone tell you that you should quit your fight against injustice – many will advise you to move on, let it go, it’s all too hard, there’s no point, but there are people born and raised with a natural sense of justice and a willingness to fight sometimes at a cost to themselves to get it – and you are one of those rare people. You chose a career to help people, and you were wrongly robbed of that role, but don’t think for a moment think that your current fight is not doing more of the same – you are helping countless people. You should be very proud of yourself for having the guts to fight not just for yourself, but for the many others you are helping.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and WorkSafe Victoria formally announced the launch of the shared Health Services Group on Wednesday 2 January 2008.
The aim of the Health Services Group is to simplify processes and implement initiatives that support healthcare providers to achieve better rehabilitation and return to work outcomes for injured Victorians. The group will also focus on preventative health and research and aim to build stronger relationships with healthcare providers. The Health Services Group comprises employees from the TAC and WorkSafe and will build on the existing strengths of each organisation
The Health Services Group is led by Dr Peter Harcourt. Dr Harcourt has been encouraged by the positive response from TAC and WorkSafe employees to the implementation of a shared Health Service Group.
“People from both organisations are enthusiastic about this new joint approach. We always knew that our two organisations had a great deal in common, particularly in the health arena. The majority of our health and disability providers are the same, our systems and processes are similar, and we both wanted to head in the same strategic direction.
“Our shared goal is to ensure injured Victorians receive the best health care treatment available to maximise their recovery. Once we started to formally look at the feasibility of a shared TAC and WorkSafe health services team, the evidence was totally in favor of collaboration”.
The work has only just begun for the Health Services Group. The initial plan is to implement initiatives to cut red tape and simplify processes so that healthcare providers can spend more time helping people recover and less time on paperwork.
Some of the key initiatives include:
The TAC and WorkSafe are committed to optimal health outcomes for injured Victorians and believe that working together with health care organisations provides a solid foundation for the development of necessary health and disability services.
WTF!!!!!