Paralysed 4 years ago, I now desperately need my compensation
01 June 2018
THOMAS KUMAN
KUNDIAWA - My name is Thomas Kuman, I’m 26 and I’m a chronic patient at Sir Joseph Nombri Memorial Hospital here in Kundiawa.
My home village is Wara Sua in the remote Salt Nomane Karimui district.
On 15 June 2014, I was working with New Britain Palm Oil Ltd as a fruit loader at Walupai in West New Britain Province when I was thrown off the tractor in which I was travelling in a freak accident which left me permanently paralysed.
I spent five months at Kimbe Hospital before returning to Simbu Province near the end of 2014 and have been here since.
There was an assessment of my injuries by QBE Insurance (PNG) Ltd on behalf of New Britain Oil Palm Ltd in consultation with the Office of Workers Compensation and I was made an offer of settlement, which I accepted. It had been a long wait.
After I completed the formalities, my acceptance was sent to the Office of Workers Compensation on 11 January this year.
On 21 March, the officer in-charge of the highlands region rang me on my mobile phone and asked me to send him my bank statement.
I promptly obtained the statement and forwarded it by email on 22 March through the email address of a female officer known to me, asking her to pass it on to the officer concerned.
The female officer acknowledged receipt of the statement and promised to pass it on.
Since then my follow up correspondence by phone and email have born no fruit and I am very concerned.
At this time I have developed pressure sores which can be a killer for paraplegics and I need the compensation money to take care of myself.
If there is anything outstanding, I need to be told so that I can attend to it immediately.
If everything is in order, as I believe it is, then why is there a hold up?
I am now pleading with the management of the Office of the Workers Compensation and QBE Insurance (PNG) Ltd to look into this issue and ensure I am paid my rightful money immediately without unwarranted delay.
I must be paid while I am still alive.
Thanks Keith Jackson and PNG Attitude. Our media burgling has drawn immediate response from the insurer promising to deposit the money into Thomas's account on Monday next week. Hooray.
Posted by: Francis Nii | 02 June 2018 at 07:05 PM
QBE Insurance (PNG) Ltd and the Office of Workers Compensation have Thomas Kuman's phone number. If there is anything outstanding, they must let Thomas know. If everything is in order than what is the reason for the delay?
Posted by: Francis Nii | 01 June 2018 at 12:07 PM