One hundred thousand dollars had been put into a twelve months term deposit whilst we started using the rest systematically paying the multitude of accumulated debts acquired over the years which included medical, rates, school fees etc.
With the little money we had left and that returned from HIC we tried to re-commence the necessary work on our home. This time the costs blew out and were prohibitive as the deterioration to unfinished work necessitated it be redone prior to any other work being attempted.
Throughout this twelve months, still having our mortgage and no income the money disappeared quickly. We then made the unpleasant choice to use the money in the term deposit to pay out but not close our mortgage account, which had a line of credit attached to it. We needed access to this account if we were to attempt to continue with the work on our home. We felt it better to have an unfinished roof over our heads than a finished one with no foreseeable way of maintaining our mortgage repayments.
Whilst bringing the documentation together knowing something had to be done, I saw Legal Aid Toukley on 10th August 2000. After discussing the situation, I was advised to keep documenting all details relating to my time with the Police prior to and after the accident. Then forward it to the Attorney General, contact the Local Member and if possible enlist the services of a good solicitor as there is a case that needs to be answered.
During the late part of 2000 and early 2001 multiple solicitors advised that to take any action considering the multiple issues and complexities that exist, would incur extreme costs with no guarantees. Given the documented evidence against my workers compensation solicitors, they had not done the job they had been engaged to do however to sue them, even given this documentation, it was our word against theirs. The type of situation to be determined by the best liar winning. (Isn't that good legal advice?)
In June 2001 seeing ourselves going deeper into debt and unable to get a job I again applied for benefits. In 2002 after a lengthy appeal process a Disability Support Pension was granted and backdated to June 2001 the date when I had re-applied.
Shortly after my return to work in June 1995 we as a family had purchased and started showing British Shorthair Cats, with our first show being in Canberra as this was the closest one for me being employed in Goulburn. After my cessation from work these became a more regular event in late 1996 and 1997 as we were attending approximately one per fortnight, showing kittens we had bred. Trying to keep active I did what I could to help out at these shows.
By 2001 I was finding I was doing little else apart from trying to exercise during the week, do a little bit of maintenance around our home and be able to cope enough to go to a show with my family. Being unable to cope with one, sometimes two days in a car per fortnight I had to cease these outings to stay at home in preference to driving when I didn't feel up to it.
In August 2001 my doctor referred me to a Newcastle pain service for assessment and treatment. I was prioritised as ideally requiring assistance within 3-6 months. However, due to their overwhelming demand I was not placed into their program. On 10th November 2003 I was contacted advising their inability to take me into their program as I was now outside their area.
The 10th May 2002 I made an attempt at raising some unresolved issues contained herein with the Police Commissioner. Following a reasonably quick response on 31st July 2002 a two-hour meeting was held with a Detective Acting Inspector at my home.
I agreed with the interviewing officer during this meeting, that if the issues were properly addressed and resolved then there would be no need for me to say any more and I wouldn't. I offered him the written documentation to assist, but "no thanks".
A five lined response dated 19th September 2002 received on 11th October 2002 related to this meeting.
"I am writing in relation to your interview with Detective A/Inspector on 31 July 2002 when you raised the issue of your medical retirement.
Given the length of time since your employment with NSW Police ceased and the fact that you have received a settlement in relation to the injuries that led to your medical retirement, NSW Police is not in a position to either offer rehabilitation services or offer employment".
As anyone can assess from the information put forward in my article and their brief response relating to my employment only, the issues have not been addressed or resolved.
From the time of my appointment with legal aid I have spoken to no less than a dozen legal firms and paid on occasions for their assessments.
Some have advised 'the third party case over and done with bad luck'. Others advised of the 'enormous costs associated with extracting the well hidden truth from this saga and presenting it in court', which according to most who put any effort and time in, advised should be done although financial restraints have prevented this from happening.
A Gosford Law Firm quoted $250.00 to assess the matter. However, he declined to take the case sending me a three paged letter that advised of his services and an account for such totalling $725.19. At our next meeting to discuss this matter including his accounting discrepancy, he advised 'the NSW Police see this matter as closed', as did he. He would accept $450.00 to finalise this matter only if I made immediate payment on the 12th December 2002.
I almost wish (although I wouldn't wish this on anyone) that the female police officer, whose photograph was on his desk and her family, could endure the same as I and my family had at the hands of the NSW Police and incompetent solicitors. He might then learn to treat people in a manner consistent with the trust that a person in his position should engender.
As his statement to me dictates, he had been in touch with my ex-employer, the NSW Police. He had also gained information as his document shows, however the information gained seems to have been misrepresented to pre-empt any attempt at gaining a truthful or just resolution.
The best way I can demonstrate this is to include the solicitor's letter itself to show how misguided he was, when he could have easily gained the facts, if he had asked his client. (Click to view letter)
He states in his letter that I was - 'seeking workers compensation as the injury arose during the course of my employment with the Police department'. This is the first and foremost fact. My realistic expectation is that workers compensation laws are adhered to and me treated in compliance with this law and the laws of our land.
As advised by Legal Aid, the completed documentation was distributed on 28th July 2003 to: