Asbestos victim taking on ACC 

A dying Auckland man is taking on ACC over the right to a lump sum compensation. He is one of 26 asbestos victims and their families who may be forced to pay back $2.5 million to ACC after a recent high court ruling.

Victor Angell, 77, was mistakenly exposed to asbestos 38 years ago while working on a building site. He says he now fears he has just months left for the things he loves.

"Some people...won't even know that they've been exposed until it hits, and when it hits, it hits quickly and very rapidly," says Angell.

He received about $90,000 in lump sum ACC compensation earlier this year, but ACC went to court to appeal the payments. Now he and 25 other asbestos victims may have to pay ACC back.

However Angell and his wife have already spent the money on a rental property for their retirement. Angell and two other victims' families are now taking ACC to court.

"I think it's a system that deserves to be taken on, because it's people like me...deserve to at least get a bit of quality of life in their last few months," he says.

ACC says the high court has ruled lump sum compensation is not legal but it will not be moving to recover any money until the latest court challenge is resolved.

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