Families of the Nabou accident victims including survivors have been reassured that they will be covered under the accident compensation commission scheme.

This has been confirmed by commission chief executive officer, Pravesh Akbar during a meeting with family members of victims and injured survivors of the accident in Nadi yesterday.

The scheme provides for any personal injury or death because of an accident in Fiji involving a registered motor vehicle without the need to establish fault or negligence.

However, the compensation will be made under strict conditions.

The accident claimed the lives of eight people, Sanaila Ritoka, Atilai Pareti, Joseph Underwood, Marika Rua, Tomasi Bulitavu, Josevati Saukuru including the two employees of Grace Roads.

He said that families of each of the deceased would receive $75,000 in compensation from the Government.

“For those families of the deceased, you will be compensated a total of $75,000, this is equal for all the families that have lost a loved one in the Nabou accident,” Mr Akbar said.

“But, for those who survived with injuries the payment will depend on the assessment from the doctor on the severity of injuries sustained.”

He had advised them to submit relevant documents with the commission so that the payment could be made.

The commission will then be working closely with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“We are here to help and serve you. We work for you, whatever you need; we will try to assist in any way possible,” Mr Akbar said.

“Innocent passengers, injured people and family of the deceased, you are all eligible for compensation.

“If you know that you were involved in the Nabou accident and have suffered injuries, provide us your documents so that you can be compensated,” Mr Akbar added.

For families of the deceased, he said the process would take up to six months however for injured people it would take up to a maximum of 18 months depending on the doctors assessment.

“Government has made the process easier for you, they put away the no fault scheme and you will no longer need to pay for legal fees, all you need to do is just lodge your application and relevant documents with us,” Mr Akbar said.

Edited by Percy Kean

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