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Orewa’s Steve Caines, who is paralysed from the chest down, had the first hearing in his case against ACC last week.
Steve is seeking access to the battery-powered exoskeleton, known as a ReWalk, which was denied him by ACC after the organisation funded him on a three year trial of the equipment (HM December 1, 2018).
Steve found the ReWalk to be life changing, as it enables him to walk upright, but after successful completion of the trial, he had the opportunity to use one on a permanent basis taken away by ACC.
Back in a wheelchair, he has waited more than a year already for his day in court.
The hearing, in the Disputes Tribunal in Wellington on February 24 was the initial opportunity for lawyers on both sides to present their arguments.
Steve says that more written legal submissions need to be made, after which a further court date will be set, this time in Auckland.
