WA Housing Minister meets with Woods family, offers financial support

The WA government has offered financial support to the family of an 11-year-old who was critically injured in a public housing accident.

Denishar Woods

Denishar Woods with her mother Lacey Harrison. Source: Supplied

It was an "emotional meeting" when West Australian Minister of Housing Peter Tinley met with Lacey Harrison on Wednesday.

Ms Harrison's young daughter, Denishar Woods, has been in hospital since she was electrocuted in an accident in her WA Department of Housing home. She suffered a severe brain injury and is now blind.

The transition from hospital has been a concern for Ms Harrison, and Minister Tinley pledged financial support to assist with short-term care needs.

"I met with Denishar's mother, Lacey Harrison, this afternoon and listened carefully to what she had to say about her situation," Minister Tinley said in a statement.

"I repeated my assurance that the Department of Communities and I will do all we can to support and assist Ms Harrison and her family, as one of our tenants, within the constraints that we operate under."

Gerry Georgatos, the National Coordinator of National Indigenous Critical Response Service, welcomed the funding offered. He attended the meeting with family.

“It was an emotional meeting for all concerned," he said in a statement.

"Minister Tinley came to the fore with a commitment to work at pace to ensure everything that can be done for the family in term of immediate needs will be done."
With legal action being pursued by the family to seek compensation for long-term management needs, the funding offered is an ex-gratia payment - which is not an admission of legal responsibility.

“This includes a substantial ex-gratia payment to meet the immediate needs of Denishar’s care management, and hopefully the ex-gratia payment is within weeks or a couple of months," Mr Georgatos said.

"Additionally, the Minister’s Office will pursue an immediate financial grant to ensure a fluid transition to home plan."

This will include home modifications over the next year, and a customised special needs vehicle.

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2 min read
Published 31 May 2018 5:11pm
By Rangi Hirini
Source: NITV News


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