19 Sept 2008
Rapana v Accident Compensation Corporation
- Citation
- [2008] NZACC 229
- Court
- District Court
Medical evidence overwhelmingly established that the appellant had significant pre-existing degenerative cervical spine disease which progressed over the years and is the cause of his current incapacity; the 1982 strain incidents did not cause the ongoing disabling condition and an accident that merely renders a degenerative condition symptomatic does not convert the degenerative process into a covered injury; therefore the respondent's refusal of backdated weekly compensation was correct and the appeal is dismissed.