Case studies

The applicant had been involved in a significant accident. As we see in many cases, the applicant had received treatment in hospital for the most pressing injury, which was immediately covered by ACC, but as time went on it became apparent that they had suffered other injuries in the accident as well and ACC claims were made for those injuries at later dates.

A claimant who has suffered a permanent impairment from their personal injury may be entitled to receive lump sum compensation. During the review process, the reviewer encouraged the parties to attend a conciliation meeting to explore ways of resolving the dispute.

The applicant was an elderly person who had been declined funding for a mobility scooter and sought a review of that decision. From a case conference, it was identified that part of the issue was the adopted modes of communication between the parties – the applicant and their family preferring to discuss issues personally. The parties agreed to enter into conciliation.

During the building process for a new home, plans changed. Multiple variations were made to the contact and unique additions were added to the plans. Following failed mediations, unsuccessful legal representation and creditors chasing up the building company for outstanding amounts, the builders reached out to Fair Way for assistance.

The parties came from different countries and cultures and spoke different languages. They were together for a few months when they found out they were expecting their son but broke up before he was born. They tried to remain friends and support each other, but the stress of a new baby and financial pressures caused the relationship to break down even further.

We all make decisions in different ways. In this case study, one parent believed it was important to make their own decision, but the other parent believed the wider family’s wishes, especially the elders, should be respected.

Sarah managed a mid-sized team. She began receiving unsolicited advice from a person working in the same office. This person tried to have input into Sarah’s team and their processes, despite working in a completely different area. The comments kept coming, and Sarah found out that her team members were also being emailed directly.

Case studies are a great opportunity to learn. In this case study, after a two-year delay, the design and contract for a building project were no longer fit for purpose. Fair Way was approached by the builder, who had incurred significant additional costs during the building project.

Sometimes it is easy to reach agreement on the surface, but harder to voice the underlying issues. In this case study, a Fair Way mediator assists an Asian family to explore below the surface.