A Letter of Claim Personal Injury is a crucial document in New Zealand's personal injury claims process, serving as the initial formal communication between the injured party and the alleged responsible party. It must be drafted with careful consideration of New Zealand's unique ACC scheme, which provides universal no-fault coverage for accidents. The letter should be used when seeking compensation for injuries where there may be liability beyond or outside the ACC scheme's scope. It must include detailed information about the incident, injuries sustained, medical treatment received, financial losses, and the legal basis for the claim. The document needs to comply with New Zealand civil procedure requirements and relevant legislation, particularly the Accident Compensation Act 2001. This letter is often the foundation for subsequent negotiations or legal proceedings and should be comprehensive while maintaining clarity and professionalism.

1. Recipient Details: Full name and address of the defendant/responsible party

2. Claimant Details: Full name, address, and contact information of the injured party

3. Date and Location of Incident: Precise details of when and where the incident occurred

4. Description of Incident: Clear and factual account of how the injury occurred

5. Injury Details: Specific description of injuries sustained and their impact

6. Legal Basis: Statement of the legal grounds for the claim, including any relevant legislation or breach of duty

7. Medical Treatment: Summary of medical treatment received and ongoing requirements

8. Losses Claimed: Detailed breakdown of financial losses and compensation sought

9. Next Steps: Clear statement of expected response timeline and proposed resolution