24 Dec 2013
Howland v Accident Compensation Corporation
- Citation
- [2014] NZACC 8
- Court
- District Court
The Court held that causation was not established on the balance of probabilities because the Pfannenstiel caesarean incision and prior infra‑umbilical surgeries did not disrupt tissues above the umbilicus where the hernia was located, there was no evidence the caesarean affected supra‑umbilical tissues, and medical opinion supported that the defect was most likely related to pregnancy‑related divarication rather than the surgical incision; therefore no entitlement to ACC cover under the Act.