INSURANCE COMMISSION — JESSICA LITTLEWOOD
286. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Insurance
Commission of Western Australia's handling of the case of Jessica Amye
Littlewood, who was in a motor vehicle accident in 2015 when she was struck by
a drunk driver and left with catastrophic brain injuries.
(1) Does ICWA accept that Ms
Littlewood requires care on a daily basis?
(2) If so, why was the last support
payment made to Ms Littlewood on 25 July last year?
(3) How does ICWA expect Ms
Littlewood to support herself?
(4) Why is ICWA requiring additional
evidence to be presented?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Treasurer.
(1) The Insurance
Commission accepts that Ms Littlewood requires some care on a daily basis. The
number of hours of care required is the subject of expert evidence obtained by
both parties to her District Court action. The Insurance Commission is
currently paying for two hours a week of case management and six hours a week
of care—support—as recommended by the rehabilitation physician
that Ms Littlewood consulted at her solicitor's suggestion.
(2) The Insurance
Commission continues to make payments to, or on behalf of, Ms Littlewood. The
Insurance Commission continues to pay for eight hours a week of case management
and support in accordance with the initial recommendation from Ms Littlewood's
rehabilitation physician.
(3) In addition to the case management and support
funded by the Insurance Commission, Ms Littlewood has been in receipt of
advance payments—that is, payments in advance for likely past losses
that will be offset against any
settlement or judgement payment—from the Insurance Commission. Advance
payments continue.
(4) The nature and extent of Ms Littlewood's
injuries and their effect on day-to-day activities is complex. The additional
evidence sought by the Insurance Commission pertains to Ms Littlewood's
care—support—requirements and the nature and extent of
injuries. Ms Littlewood recently refused to attend an occupational therapist
arranged by the Insurance Commission. Further medical appointments have been
scheduled. The Insurance Commission is attending a pre-trial—settlement—conference
in the District Court on Thursday, 12 April 2018, at which time settlement of
Ms Littlewood's claim will be explored.