Max
06-01-2003, 11:36 AM
Can someone please help
Sunday June 01, 2003
A man who was injured in an accident at the Suva Wharf last year wants the Government to support his family as he no longer can earn a living.
Karam Chand, 38, has not been able to stand or walk since the time he got crushed in the cab of a truck by a container that fell off a Ports Terminal Limited forklift at Kings Wharf, Suva.
Since November last year, Mr Chand has been bed-ridden at Tamavua Hospital bed except for a brief period when he was taken to Australia for specialised treatment early this year.
Mr Chand sustained a thoracolumbar vertebral injury, resulting in a spinal cord injury.
Mr Chand, a truck driver, had been employed by General Machinery Hire Limited.
He had been driving a truck belonging to General Machinery when a PTL forklift carrying the container accidentally dropped it on him. Mr Chand's treatment at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital could not be completed because of a lack of funds.
He then had to return to Fiji and carry on rehabilitation at Tamavua Hospital. Yesterday, a frustrated Mr Chand pleaded to authorities to address his plight.
"My treatment so far has cost us $81,599 which was taken care of by my brother who lives in Australia," he wept.
"He put in all his life savings towards my treatment and yet we could not continue with it.
"Not all that money has been paid to the hospital - much of that is still owed as there is an agreement with the hospital - all I want to know from the authorities is if I am going to get compensated?" he asked.
"I have two children in primary school and I was the sole breadwinner of the family - now what stands for their future ... how will I take care of them.
"I only hope I get compensated so that I can go on with my treatment, pay the hospital and address my family's problems."
Mr Chand said he was helpless as he could not even sit or stand.
"All I am doing now is just lying down here on this hospital bed. I cannot do anything else - I had dreams for my children - to see them grow and get educated but I wonder whether all that will be possible now," he whispered.
"I ask the Ministry of Labour to look into my case and help me out."
Labour Minister Kenneth Zinck confirmed his ministry was working on Mr Chand's case and were waiting for his updated medical report.
"Once we get his medical report, we can look at the degree of his injuries and work out a figure. Usually, under Workmen's Compensation, the maximum amount we pay is $24,000," Mr Zinck said.
He said Mr Chand's case was a serious one and he sympathised with him.
Asked if $24,000 was enough for Mr Chand considering he may never be able to work again, Mr Zinck said: "I agree with you and we will be looking at the Workmen's Compensation Act provision later on this year," Mr Zinck said before leaving for Geneva yesterday.
The Daily Post
http://www.fijilive.com/news/show/news/2003/06/01/01a.html
Sunday June 01, 2003
A man who was injured in an accident at the Suva Wharf last year wants the Government to support his family as he no longer can earn a living.
Karam Chand, 38, has not been able to stand or walk since the time he got crushed in the cab of a truck by a container that fell off a Ports Terminal Limited forklift at Kings Wharf, Suva.
Since November last year, Mr Chand has been bed-ridden at Tamavua Hospital bed except for a brief period when he was taken to Australia for specialised treatment early this year.
Mr Chand sustained a thoracolumbar vertebral injury, resulting in a spinal cord injury.
Mr Chand, a truck driver, had been employed by General Machinery Hire Limited.
He had been driving a truck belonging to General Machinery when a PTL forklift carrying the container accidentally dropped it on him. Mr Chand's treatment at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital could not be completed because of a lack of funds.
He then had to return to Fiji and carry on rehabilitation at Tamavua Hospital. Yesterday, a frustrated Mr Chand pleaded to authorities to address his plight.
"My treatment so far has cost us $81,599 which was taken care of by my brother who lives in Australia," he wept.
"He put in all his life savings towards my treatment and yet we could not continue with it.
"Not all that money has been paid to the hospital - much of that is still owed as there is an agreement with the hospital - all I want to know from the authorities is if I am going to get compensated?" he asked.
"I have two children in primary school and I was the sole breadwinner of the family - now what stands for their future ... how will I take care of them.
"I only hope I get compensated so that I can go on with my treatment, pay the hospital and address my family's problems."
Mr Chand said he was helpless as he could not even sit or stand.
"All I am doing now is just lying down here on this hospital bed. I cannot do anything else - I had dreams for my children - to see them grow and get educated but I wonder whether all that will be possible now," he whispered.
"I ask the Ministry of Labour to look into my case and help me out."
Labour Minister Kenneth Zinck confirmed his ministry was working on Mr Chand's case and were waiting for his updated medical report.
"Once we get his medical report, we can look at the degree of his injuries and work out a figure. Usually, under Workmen's Compensation, the maximum amount we pay is $24,000," Mr Zinck said.
He said Mr Chand's case was a serious one and he sympathised with him.
Asked if $24,000 was enough for Mr Chand considering he may never be able to work again, Mr Zinck said: "I agree with you and we will be looking at the Workmen's Compensation Act provision later on this year," Mr Zinck said before leaving for Geneva yesterday.
The Daily Post
http://www.fijilive.com/news/show/news/2003/06/01/01a.html