Ben Dickson as a newborn Photo: Andrew Dickson
Ten years ago birth difficulties caused a brain injury in Andrew Dickson's son, Ben, who was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Since then the family has been embroiled in a long dispute with ACC to obtain treatment injury cover. At issue is exactly what or who, if anyone, or anything was at fault during Ben's birth and expert opinion is divided. That's why he is asking ACC to make baby birth injury a kind of special case - and to err on the side of the claimant when experts can't agree. Also joining the conversation is Auckland University's Jo Manning, who is a specialist in ACC law about her views on ACC's external clinical advisor role, which Andrew says lacks enough checks and balances.
