Insurance giant walks away from firefighter

A TASMANIAN firefighter injured in the line of duty has sold his car and caravan to pay for ongoing treatment because Allianz insurance will no longer fork out the cash.

Father-of-two Rob Boost was battling a wildfire in Tasmania’s South West National Park in early 2016 when he was struck on the head by a large falling tree branch.

Despite recently returning to work part-time, the blow left him with chronic pain and some other side-effects, requiring expensive ongoing care.

United Firefighters Union Tasmania vice president Leigh Hills yesterday said Allianz, the insurer for Tasmania Fire Service, last month sent Mr Boost a letter saying they would no longer pay for some of his treatments.

Mr Hill said the treatments knocked back by the insurer included $30,000 ketamine infusions and a neurostimulator trial, both of which had been recommended by Mr Boost’s specialists. Mr Hill said the “profits over people” decision had been made by Allianz off the back of a consultation Mr Boost had with one of its medical experts almost two years ago.

An online fundraising page set up by the union and Mr Boost’s workmates had last night raised more than $20,000 in donations.

Hobart Fire Brigade senior station officer Michael Netherton said the incident had taken an emotional toll on Mr Boost, his family and colleagues.

“We’re hurting really badly. We’re down a man and that’s always an issue, but more importantly Rob is really struggling to even function on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

“Just to undergo reasonable treatment he’s had to sell his car and his caravan.

“We’re doing everything we possibly can to help and we call on all members of the Tasmanian community to try and support Rob.”

Labor spokesman David O’Byrne said emergency ser- vice workers should be able to rely on insurers to have their backs.

“They run towards danger when most of us run away from it and when they get injured in those circumstances, they need to know that they’re going to be looked after,” he said.

A State Government spokeswoman last night said they expected Allianz to work constructively to ensure Mr Boost receives the treatment he requires on the advice of medical professionals.

Allianz Australia chief corporate affairs officer Nicholas Scofield said Mr Boost’s claim was accepted in 2016 but would not comment on specific details.

“Compensation payments continue to be made and the claim is being handled in accordance with the Tasmanian Workers Compensation legislation,” he said.

A Tasmania Fire Service spokeswoman said they were working with the union and Mr Boost’s family to provide appropriate welfare support.