ACC Privacy Breach: Aircraft accident survivor received another customer’s confidential data

And another accident left Maiava stranded without a taxi to attend a crucial medical appointment.

Maiava said the latest incidents have significantly increased the strain on his health.

He said “continued mismanagement by the ACC” had held him back significantly.

“My culture, values ​​and beliefs have been ignored, and ACC’s communications have been not only ineffective but actively harmful.”

He said he also needed a new PIC (permanent injury compensation) assessment.

He said he wanted an investigation into the invasion of privacy and the way he was treated during a PIC assessment when he was under stress.

The Herald approached ACC for comment last Friday, asking why Maiava was sent correspondence intended for another customer and how the breach of privacy occurred.

Michael Frampton, the ACC’s deputy director for services, confirmed on Wednesday that an email containing the name, email address and claim number of another customer was accidentally sent to Maiava.

“We are deeply sorry that this happened and we have apologized to Fuzzy. We are also in contact with the customer whose data was shared.”

Frampton said ACC took privacy seriously and had taken steps to ensure customer information was secure.

“This was an unfortunate example of human error and we are investigating what additional steps should be taken to prevent this from happening again.”

ACC’s case manager sent an apology to Maiava on Tuesday, apologizing for ACC’s failure to arrange taxi travel for the recent assessment and for failing to provide the relevant travel costs.

The privacy breach occurred on October 17.

Maiava said he wanted a review to avoid further problems, and an apology from the CEO.

Otherwise, he said Main should resign because accountability was necessary.

“This situation raises important questions about the protocols put in place to protect sensitive information,” he said in an email to ACC.

“It is completely unacceptable that a meaningful recognition of my need is being treated so superficially,” he added.

He told the Herald he said the handling of his concerns was indicative of a culture that lacked responsibility and respect for claimants.

“I’m not asking for money. Just a little respect. Don’t treat me like a number.”

The claimant whose privacy has been violated has been contacted for comment.

Maiava was working as a flight attendant when a computer glitch caused the Qantas plane to unexpectedly plummet 200 metres, about two-thirds the height of Auckland’s Sky Tower.

He and fellow Kiwi flight attendant Jenaya McKay later launched a class action lawsuit, but a US judge was sued in 2014 ruled that the ACC scheme prevented Kiwis from bringing a lawsuit.

Maiava campaigned for Qantas pilot Kevin Sullivan to be recognized as a hero, with Sullivan, First Officer Peter Lipsett and Second Officer Ross Hales credited with saving 315 lives aboard the QF72.

ACC earlier this month warned the limited healthcare system hampered efforts to rehabilitate injured people.

The state insurer reported a deficit of $7.2 billion in the year to June. It has also developed a “three-year investment plan” to help improve its performance.

Last year, a bizarre ACC error meant another Auckland man was seeking compensation for matters related to post-traumatic stress disorder his mobile number added to a case worker’s email signature.

Roger Allison started getting calls from very confused people.

Allison had been in contention for compensation related to abuse by a Dilworth linked abuse ringbut last year the government stalled on fixing a gap in compensation that Allison helped uncover.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner said at the time of the ACC error that any personal information disclosed without the consent of the person it belonged to could be considered an invasion of privacy.

But the Privacy Commissioner has said people should first contact the agency or company that violated their privacy and try to resolve it together.