A North Wollongong runner whose Olympic dream was shattered when he was hit by a car fears proposed compulsory third party insurance reforms will leave him out on a limb.
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Russell Dessaix-Chin was a successful long distance runner who had competed for his country and was edging towards Olympic marathon qualifying time when he was struck while riding his bike on February 14 last year.
He was rushed to St George Hospital’s intensive care and underwent surgery for major facial fractures, repair to his fractured left arm and right knee.
At the time of the accident Mr Dessaix-Chin was set to run a Gold Coast marathon to get his time under his personal best – then use that momentum in the Olympic Qualification period.
Since the crash he has surpassed all expectations on his road to recovery, yet he is anxious about his future.
Slater and Gordon lawyer Melinda Griffiths said the NSW Government’s proposed CTP reforms would add insult to injury for Mr Dessaix-Chin.
“Representing your country at the Olympics is an exclusive privilege that Mr Chin has been denied due to this devastating collision,” Ms Griffiths said. “Proposed CTP reforms currently before NSW Parliament would dramatically reduce his legal rights.
“Despite doctors’ reports to the contrary, the CTP insurer has not conceded that his injuries meet the minimum threshold of 10 per cent whole person impairment.’’
Mr Dessaix-Chin would be on his own after five years, she said. ‘’He won’t be eligible to claim for his loss of income and future treatment costs will need to come out of his own pocket.’’
Ms Griffiths said the reforms would lower CTP premiums, but ‘’the one-size-fits-all approach will leave innocent road victims with no rights, no financial support and no future’’.
Doctors were conservative about Mr Dessaix-Chin’s ability to run again at an elite level. But he refused to let go of his dream and committed to rehabilitation.
He was in traction for a month then after six weeks his leg brace and splint came off. He was jogging on a mini-trampoline for 30 second stints when he discovered a hip fracture. Training stopped.
‘’Being told I would never run again was heavy but I had to keep positive,’’ Mr Dessaix-Chin said. ‘’But once I started rehab my dream increased. If I can walk I can jog, if I can jog I can run, if I can run I can race.’’
Mr Dessaix-Chin said the CTP changes were unnerving. ‘’I have to think about the rest of my life. I had the determination of an athlete to recover. What about the people who don‘t? They need support. I don’t see why that should be taken away from them.’’
