Christine Laird Case Currently in the News & DLA

BigAunty

IIDB (Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit) could make more sense than DLA or IB. Certainly, I didn't identify any mental illness on the list of injuries it covers (with reference to the claim that she's the first person to be awarded this for anxiety/depression which is quite common for DLA/IB awards).

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10018752

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/db1-a-guide-to-industrial-injuries/appendix/appendix-1/

EDIT - there's a mention of 'benefits for life' on the BBC website for this person who has been told she'll never work again but she would love to work again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16050139

The link to the radio article (sorry, haven't played it yet) is here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017ng7p/Victoria_Derbyshire_06_12_2011/

"An exclusive interview with a former council chief executive whose employers tried to sue her for one million pounds after she failed to reveal her history of depression on her job application form.
CHRISTINE LAIRD says she was well when took the job - it was only cos of the way she was treated subsequently at work that she was left with chronic depression, traumatic stress syndrome and severe panic disorder..
She's just become the first person in the country to be awarded maximum disability benefits FOR LIFE. But she says an apology from her former bosses is more important than the money."

BigAunty

I've listened to the radio show for part of the way through and the presenter is the one who vaguely says that Christine Laird has been awarded 'maximum disability benefits for life'. No actual info on the type of benefit though.

In the article below, it's described by Ms Laird as "The secretary of state has said I am entitled to an injury allowance in law, a tribunal has ruled I was injured at work because my illness is an industrial injury and yet the medical advice to make me an award has been ignored by the council." She has been receiving an injury allowance which was backdated from 2009, but she says she is owed the allowance since 2005."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-16040309

It's clear from the interview that Ms Laird is still suffering, big time, from her cruel experiences with her former employer, which resulted in a psychiatric breakdown, multiple suicide attempts and admission to a psychiatric hospital. She is very eloquent about the pain that comes from mental illness - it's very moving. "The person I was died in June 2004..Life is a series of grey....I understand the scope of my loss and grieve for it."

Some more information here about her experiences. The diagnosis is "severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe panic disorder, and agoraphobia", all caused by workplace stress.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-16051775

sunnyone

frothy-coffee wrote: »

Hi,
I've just listened to an interview on BBC radio 5 Live and it seems from the figures quoted that she is in receipt of full DLA approx £450/4wk and £150/wk IB this is also been granted for life. Plus a £40k pension.

Now I was under the impression that DLA isn't for an illness but is for not being able to do everyday activities such as walking, washing yourself, etc. She can clearly do both (I.E. Walking to court). Does this set a legal precedent?

PS
The allowances are for a mental illness, Depression & Anxiety.

I get the highest rate of both DLA componants and the highest level possible of IB and neither are anywhere near ehat you have quoted, your wrong and by a considerable amount (so not rounded up) on both DLA and IB!

Jemma-T

Lazy_BBC wrote:

She also received a series of anonymous letters sent to her home and office, as well as to organisations outside the council.

Never heard of her until after reading that report -then the name rung a bell.

She probably sent those letters to herself. Seems to be a very able and energetic (vocally at least) person to this day.

BigAunty

Jemma-T wrote: »

..

She probably sent those letters to herself. Seems to be a very able and energetic (vocally at least) person to this day.

Hmmmm - I really love the way the way that keyboard warriors require no evidence to back up their hasty theories spread across the internet...

As for ability and energy, I think we must have heard different radio broadcasts - she was well beyond merely having her spirit crushed, she may have been very erudite about her condition but there cannot be any doubt about the damage she continues to suffer.

tomjonesrules

sunnyone wrote: »

I get the highest rate of both DLA componants and the highest level possible of IB and neither are anywhere near ehat you have quoted, your wrong and by a considerable amount (so not rounded up) on both DLA and IB!

This is the problem, people are relying on the media rather than checking the facts of the story.

sunnyone

She nor anyother formally mentally compadent cant get HRMC for MI as you have to have an award for HRC a brain development problem (I cant remember the exact term used in the regs. at present), thats how kids with ADHS/autism etc. get it, so the award is illegal if thats the grounds she was awarded this.

Invalidation

I have a Degenerative condition and was granted DLA "for Life" back in 1993.
Though it seems that those that makes the rules can change them on a whim or as they please.

tomjonesrules

Invalidation wrote: »

I have a Degenerative condition and was granted DLA "for Life" back in 1993.
Though it seems that those that makes the rules can change them on a whim or as they please.

As already noted, DLA is no longer awarded on this basis.

Invalidation

tomjonesrules wrote: »

As already noted, DLA is no longer awarded on this basis.

I never said it was. But if a decision was made in the past that a person is disabled for life, that decision wasnt made hastily and should be considered when any decision is made now.
Ive been grilled by a DLA Doctor back in 1993, are they now saying that his prognosis of my condition is now not acceptable? I have a Degenerative condition, it isnt getting better.