To date, the Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji (ACCF) has paid more than $13 million in compensation for motor vehicle, employment and school accidents.

In the three years that the commission has been in existence, $3.4 million has been paid out for injury-related claims while $9.7 million has been paid out for death claims.

The commission’s chief executive officer, Parvez Akbar, said the reduction in the Motor Vehicle Accident Levy by 50 per cent as announced in the 2020/2021 National Budget will not affect ACCF’s ability to compensate victims of these accidents.

He said the reduction was in recognition of the severe impacts of COVID-19 on Fiji’s economy and on Fijian families.

“The announcement provides relief to motor vehicle owners for a period of one year as the nation copes with the impacts of COVID-19,” Mr Akbar said.

Source: Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji

“With the passing of the Accident Compensation Act 2017 (the Act), the Fijian Government brought about the most significant transformation for victims of motor vehicle accidents in the history of Fiji.”

He said the legislation enabled the payment of compensation to victims of motor vehicle accidents without fault and removed the need for victims to pursue their claims through protracted and costly legal proceedings.

Funding for compensation payments comes from the Motor Vehicle Accident Levy that motor vehicle owners pay the Land Transport Authority and 40 per cent of the one per cent FNU Levy paid by employers.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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