Woman hurt in police car crash to have insurance aid reduced due to being deemed ‘greedy’ and ‘disgusting’

Gai Vieira’s life was changed forever when a speeding police car crashed into her Mercedes in Cronulla almost six years ago.

Her injuries from the September 2018 crash were extensive and while the police officer was convicted of negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm, he was not jailed.

She qualifies for icare’s Lifetime Care scheme through the NSW government-funded insurance company and has depended on it for her physical and speech therapies.

“She couldn’t move, her face couldn’t smile,” Gai’s husband, prominent horseracing identity Bert Vieira, told 9News.

“She can’t move her arms, can’t move her legs – now after a lot of physio, I can understand her, she can talk, she smiles.”

The insurance had provided Gai up to four hours a week of physiotherapy and speech therapy – until the couple received a letter last month that left them stunned.

Under what’s called a “graded reduction”, Gai’s physical and speech therapy will be reduced to just one hour a week because “three independent therapists” found “there isn’t adequate clinical justification to support them”.

Bert called the decision “greedy” and “disgusting”. 

“She’s entitled to it,” he said.

“She was hit by a policeman (who) works for the state government, and icare is funded by the state government.”

The scheme is funded by motorists through a levy on green slips.

It has supported 1792 people in the last financial year at a cost of $236.5 million and only funds services it considers “reasonable and necessary”.

icare told 9News it was dedicated to providing Gai with the right support.

“Lifetime Care continues to support Mrs Vieira to ensure she receives the right treatment and support at the right stage of her recovery,” it said in a statement.

“Following an independent medical review, changes have been made to the frequency of Gai’s treatments after five years of regular specialised care.

“This is based on medical evidence that points to the best health outcomes for Gai, and not for budgetary reasons.”

The Vieira family is now waiting on a further review by icare and say they are hopeful that Gai’s level of therapy will be restored.