16 Apr 2012
The following response follows a media release issued by law firm Slater and Gordon yesterday.
For the record, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) works actively to ensure that people involved transport accidents are aware of their entitlements and benefits.
The TAC has a comprehensive website that outlines available benefits and entitlements, that those involved in transport accidents may be entitled to.
The website clearly informs people about how to make a claim.
The TAC receives over 265,000 calls to its service centre every year.
There is no cost associated with making a claim and anybody who is injured in a transport accident is encouraged to make a claim to establish eligibility.
The TAC actively works with hospitals and over 10,000 medical providers, such as GPs, Physiotherapists, and Pharmacists, to keep them up to date with client entitlements and TAC policies.
Informative materials are provided to these groups to be handed to people injured in transport accidents outlining how to make a claim.
Where people are seriously injured and hospitalised the injured person and their families are pro-actively contacted about their entitlement and available benefits.
When someone lodges a claim with the TAC, a booklet and DVD with information "about the TAC" and a potential entitlement is sent to the person lodging the claim.
The TAC has relationships with Ambulance and Victoria Police who are often first on the scene of an accident.
In addition, plaintiff law firms such as Slater and Gordon, have very active media campaigns, including advertisements informing injured people about their TAC entitlements.
The TAC currently has about 40,000 clients who are receiving some sort of compensation after being involved in a transport accident.
Each year, we receive about 19,000 new claims.
Anyone who is looking for more information about making a TAC claim is encouraged to call us on 1800 332 556.