XN000022-1995-05-13+14 — Page 3

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$98.5 million paid to traffic accident victims

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) had paid out more than $98.5 million from the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance (TAVA) Fund to traffic accident victims or their dependants in 1993-94.

According to the 1993-94 TAVA Fund annual report, a total of 5,791 applications were received during the period, representing an increase of 4.9 per cent when compared with 5,517 applications in 1992-93.

The TAVA scheme, operating since 1979, is one of the social security schemes administered by the SWD.

"It aims to provide speedy financial assistance to traffic accident victims or their dependants, regardless of the means of the family or the element of fault in causing the accident," a spokesman for the department said today (Saturday).

During 1993-94, the SWD had handled 32 cases of serious traffic accidents in which heavy casualties were involved.

The accident resulting in the largest number of casualties occurred on July 25, 1993, when a KMB bus overturned at Hung Tin Road, Tin Shui Wai.

As a result, 43 people were injured, of whom 17 were found eligible for assistance. A total amount of $172,866 were paid to these victims.

"To be eligible for assistance, an application must be made within the six months of the accident which must have been reported to the police," the spokesman said.

He said staff from the SWD's TAVA Section would, in major traffic accidents, take the initiative to contact victims or their dependants directly to help them apply at an early date.

"In the case of injury not causing death, an applicant must obtain a certificate from a registered doctor requiring at least three days of sick leave.

"Beneficiaries under the scheme still retain the right to make claims for legal damages or compensation from other sources in the usual way," he said.

"However, those who receive compensation in respect of the same traffic accident are required to repay the amount of assistance they have received from the TAVA scheme.