Ella Ingram

Ella Ingram (born 1993/1994 (age 26–27))[1] is an Australian activist for mental illness anti-discrimination. She won a landmark case against QBE Insurance in 2015 over its travel insurance policies regarding mental illness. Ingram was listed among the BBC's 100 most inspirational women of that year.[1]

Insurance case

In 2015, Ingram won a landmark case for mental illness in Australia. Her victory over insurance giant QBE called for changes to discrimination laws. Ingram, from Melbourne, Australia, had booked a school trip to New York in 2011, however had to cancel on the advice of her psychiatrist due to severe depression. When she tried to claim on her insurance she was denied due to a blanket clause by QBE that said that mental illness was not covered.[2][3][4]

Diagnosed just before travelling, Ella had spent her life savings on this opportunity, only to be advised against it. On the 27 October 2015 Ingram contacted the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal (VCAT) and started a claim against QBE for discrimination against mental illness. The case was resolved in December 2015 where VCAT awarded AUD$4,292 to cover economic losses. A further AUD$15,000 was awarded for the hurt and humiliation caused to Ella, after the tribunal had found that “QBE had breached the equal opportunity act.” [5]

References
  1. Winters, Ali (30 November 2015). "I was disconnected from everyone". BBC News | Health. BBC.
  2. Medhora, Shalailah (18 December 2015). "QBE Insurance 'discriminated' against student with depression, says tribunal". The Guardian. Guardian Media Publications. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  3. Singer, Melissa (19 December 2015). "Student wins landmark ruling against QBE for not reimbursing cancelled flight due to mental illness". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  4. Farnsworth, Sarah (18 December 2015). "Woman hopeful others with depression will be covered by travel insurance after landmark court win over QBE". ABC News. Sydney. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  5. Gray, Maryvonne. "Midweek Wrap: QBE maintains mental illness stance". Insurance Business. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
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