Patrice’s estate brings law suit

The estate of the late Patrice Bascombe has sued the Attorney General, the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, two doctors, two senior nurses, and a nursing assistant.{{more}}

“The claimant Richard Bascombe as administrator in the estate of his daughter Patrice Bascombe, deceased of Arnos Vale…hereby claims against the defendants for damages for negligence resulting in the death of Patrice Bascombe while a patient under their care at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital,” states the claim numbered 302 of 2007, which was filed on Wednesday, September 12, in the High Court.

Dr Jasmine Malcolm and Dr Charles Woods are the doctors named as defendants, while Sister Joan Bruce, Staff Nurse Zenula Yearwood, and Nurses’ Assistant Theodora Ollivierre are the other defendants along with the Attorney General and the Hospital Administrator.

When Bascombe 18, died on Thursday, September 7, 2006 following a horrific car accident at Lodge Village, on Tuesday, September 5, the same year, the entire nation was thrown into mourning.

The talented singer, who was about to represent this country at last year’s Digicel Rising Star competition, was laid to rest on Sunday, September 17, 2006, in what was a moving service, that attracted thousands.

The Bascombe estate is claiming general damages, aggravated damages, costs, and other such relief as the court deems just.

A promise was made by Minister of Health Dr Douglas Slater to the parents of Bascombe that a thorough investigation would be carried out into their daughter’s death.

In several interviews, and recently in parliament, Dr Slater made it clear that while the investigation had been done, and a report submitted, he could not make it public, because of the threat of legal action by the Bascombe family.

SEARCHLIGHT tried to contact Dr Slater for a comment following the filing of the claim, but at press time he was out of the state. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and the Chief Medical Officer were also unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, Vynette Frederick of Fredericks Attorneys told SEARCHLIGHT that the parents of Patrice Bascombe are convinced that their daughter died as a result of negligence and not the car accident. She said that they are committed to seeing this issue through to the end.

“We would not have filed claims if we were not convinced about it,” Frederick told SEARCHLIGHT yesterday, Thursday, September 13th.

However, Vivert Bridgewater, 28, the Suriname national who was driving the car in which Bascombe was a passenger at the time of the accident, is now awaiting trial, charged with causing Bascombe’s death, by reckless driving.

He is also represented by Fredericks Attorneys.