Winter Issue 2009 - cfmeu

continued from previous page
The standard wording under the Union recommended
policy as provided by Jardine Lloyd Thompson states –
"PRE-EXISTING CONDITION" means any medical
condition, side-effect or symptoms of a condition
which the Insured Person was aware of and for which
the Insured Person has received medical attention,
sought or received treatment, undergone tests or
taken prescribed medication for in the six (6) month
prior to that Insured Person's Effective Date of
Individual Cover under this Insurance. Pre-existing
conditions also include any chronic, congenital or
degenerative conditions diagnosed and known to the
Insured Person at the Effective Date of Individual
Cover under this Insurance, whether currently being
treated or not.
In the case of medical conditions contributed to or
aggravated by such pre-existing conditions the Weekly
Benefit amount and/or the period of disablement will
be decreased by the same proportion which in the
view of an independent qualified medical practitioner
the pre-existing condition contributed to or
aggravated the new condition.
It is important that members understand this as the
Union regularly deals with members who have wrongly
assumed they were entitled to Income Protection “no
matter what”.
Unfortunately that isn’t always the case. The contents of
insurance policies is not something the Union can
control, we can only try to have our members covered as
much as possible.
Having said that it is important that if your claim is
knocked back that you contact me at the Union. Denial
of your claim doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the
story as you do have the right of appeal if you believe
you have been unfairly treated.
Please also be advised that this article does not
constitute financial or legal advice. The Union is simply
alerting you to matters that may affect the outcome of
any claim you make for Income Protection. For proper
advice you should always seek to speak to your
Financial Advisor, Accountant or other such authorized
person. You can contact ASIC on 1300 300 630 for
details of qualified people or companies who can offer
you advice.
A CHEAP FINE FOR ANOTHER DEATH!
MELBOURNE: A CRANE company has been fined $70,000 after a worker was
killed by a falling concrete panel in Melbourne three years ago. Christos Binos,
58, was killed at a worksite at Pakenham, in Melbourne's outer southeast, on
March 8, 2006, when a concrete panel which was being lifted into place fell on
him. Judge Philip Coish said the company, Huntingdale Mobile Cranes, had
breached health and safety laws by failing to check pins were placed in the
concrete panel and securing it before it was lifted into place.
Joe McDonald says: “If bosses were jailed instead of fined, safety would improve
overnight. Another reason why unions need greater access to sites.
TINTO FINED 200,000 RIO’S!
DARWIN: May - A mining giant has been fined almost $200,000 after a worker
slipped and fell into a pool of highly corrosive liquid at a refinery in the Northern
Territory. It is the fifth time since 2006 that the Alcan Gove Refinery in northeast
Arnhem Land has been involved in a serious workplace accident, two of which
were fatal.
Fred Rowe suffered burns to almost 25 per cent of his body last March when
he slipped and fell after a safety walkway was removed for maintenance.
Last week, Rio Tinto Alcan pleaded guilty to breaching the Mining
Management Act.
Rigger
charged with
manslaughter
A Rigger, William Rapetti has been
indicted on charges including
manslaughter and criminally
negligent homicide causing the
death of 7 people in last years
massive tower crane collapse in
New York City.
Manhattan D.A. Robert Morgenthau
argues the accident was caused by
the rigger’s incorrect use of slings to
hold a collar used to climb the
crane. The base on the crane was
also not bolted down.
COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?
Let’s be careful out there!
Construction Worker – Winter 2009 Page 61
CFMEU