Accident victim, firm wrangle over hospital bills
By Tobi Adetunji
An accident victim, Mr Emuezie Johnson, has called on Shongai Packaging Industry Limited, Ota in Ogun, to expedite action in the payment of his hospital bills and damages.
Johnson, a motorcyclist, made the call in a chat with the Nigerian NewsDirect on Tuesday in Ota, Ogun.
Nigerian NewsDirect recalls that the company’s driver on Jan. 14, rammed into a commercial bus and a dispatch rider due to brake failure at the Ijako area, which led to the injuries of four persons and the motorcyclist.
He claimed that the company only paid N128,000 when he was moved from the Ogun State Hospital, Ota, to a private clinic for intensive treatment.
He said that the bone fracture he sustained from the accident had made his family members move him to the Orthopaedic Home in Ota.
Johnson said that he had spent over N1 million on the hospital bills and that the company has not responded to his request after the first payment of N128,000.
“I am appealing to the management of Shongai Packaging Industry Limited to come to my assistance and help in the payment of the medical bills,’’ he said.
The motorcyclist said that he had spent all his life saving on the hospital bill, urging the company to speed up action to come to his aid.
Meanwhile, Mr Martins Iroya, Human Resources Manager of the company, recalled that Johnson and three others were first taken to the government hospital in Ota when the accident occurred.
Iroya said that Shongai Packaging initially paid over N300,000 for the treatments of three persons while Johnson’s family obliged to take him to another hospital for treatment.
He said that the three accident victims were treated and discharged while Johnson was moved to a private clinic by his family where the company also paid N128,000 for him.
“The company suggested that Johnson should be taken back to the government hospital since others were treated and discharged at the hospital.
“But his family refused.
“There is readiness on the part of the company to pay the medical bill before we received a letter from Johnson’s lawyer,” he said.
The manager said that something involving human life should be naturally treated amicably and should not become a legal matter.
He, however, said that he had been directed to inform Johnson’s family that whatever the cost of treatment incurred, would be claimed from the insurance company and paid to him.
