InBrief

The Motor Accidents Authority is holding�two briefing sessions for the new MAA Permanent Impairment Guidelines. The aim of these sessions is to cover the main changes to the new guidelines.

The sessions are designed for insurers and lawyers who have an existing understanding of permanent impairment, and will be held on Friday, 28 September 2007 at the MAA, 580 George St, Sydney. Session 1 is from 1.30pm-2.30pm, session 2 is from 3.00pm-4.00pm. The presenters are Dr Dwight Dowda and Dr Michael Baldwin, both experienced MAS Assessors who were involved in the guideline review.

There is no cost to attend but numbers are limited.

The new MAA Permanent Impairment Guidelines will come into effect on 1 October 2007. These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, American Medical Association, Fourth Edition, for the assessment of permanent impairment in the NSW Motor Accidents Scheme.

The new guidelines include a provision for the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme which came into effect for children under 16 years of age on 1 October 2006, and will come into effect for adults on 1 October 2007. Other changes are to provide more guidance to assessors on complex areas of permanent impairment assessment.

If you would like to register please email dmcdonnell@lifetimecare.nsw.gov.au with your name, background, organisation and which session you would like to attend. Registrations close on Monday 24 September 2007.

Here is the link to the new guidelines on the MAA website.

http://www.maa.nsw.gov.au/default.aspx?MenuID=95

14 September 2007