In a media statement Sunday, Ramlogan said: “Early settlement of legitimate medical negligence claims after independent evaluation by the hospital is therefore to be encouraged.
"Had such an approach been taken in the past, millions of dollars spent in legal fees could have been saved for use in the purchase of hospital beds and medicine.”
He cited some examples:
The AG pointed out that the San Fernando-based law firm of Harrikissoon and Company "has enjoyed a virtual monopoly on legal work from the SWRHA over the past eight years."
He cited some examples:
- The Court of Appeal delivered judgment against the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) in favour of Samdaye Harrilal who lost her baby due to medical negligence. The court awarded $120,000 compensation; the SWRHA paid lawyers over $500,000.
- Ranna Ramlal won a negligence case against the SWRHA and was awarded $7,500; the SWRHA paid $250,000 in legal fees to defend the case.
The AG pointed out that the San Fernando-based law firm of Harrikissoon and Company "has enjoyed a virtual monopoly on legal work from the SWRHA over the past eight years."
He said, "The firm was paid a monthly retainer in addition to separate legal fees for legal work done. Over the years, millions of dollars in legal fees have been paid by the SWRHA.”
He noted that his former law firm successfully pursued a number of medical negligence cases and Cindy Bhagwandeen was the instructing attorney in most of them.
He noted that his former law firm successfully pursued a number of medical negligence cases and Cindy Bhagwandeen was the instructing attorney in most of them.
The release noted that Bhagwandeen been retained in a claim filed by Tricia Francis against the SWRHA. It's the only brief received by Freedom House in the one year since Ramlogan’s appointment as AG.
“The AG was wrongly sued in this matter and Ms Francis’ attorneys have long indicated that they will withdraw the claim against the State and Tricia Francis was never a client of Ramlogan’s firm and hence there is no conflict of interest in Bhagwandeen’s brief in this matter.
“The AG was wrongly sued in this matter and Ms Francis’ attorneys have long indicated that they will withdraw the claim against the State and Tricia Francis was never a client of Ramlogan’s firm and hence there is no conflict of interest in Bhagwandeen’s brief in this matter.
"By way of illustration, lawyers frequently act for and against the Attorney General or prosecute on behalf of the State and defend criminals against the State every day” the release noted.
“There has been no offer to settle, far less an out-of-court settlement, in any medical negligence case filed by Mr Ramlogan’s firm, since his appointment as AG, so any allegations that ‘Claimants offered deals’ are malicious and false.”
He noted that there is nothing wrong with the approach taken by the SWRHA to settle legitimate claims since the legal fees often exceed the value of the claim.
“There has been no offer to settle, far less an out-of-court settlement, in any medical negligence case filed by Mr Ramlogan’s firm, since his appointment as AG, so any allegations that ‘Claimants offered deals’ are malicious and false.”
He noted that there is nothing wrong with the approach taken by the SWRHA to settle legitimate claims since the legal fees often exceed the value of the claim.
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