Family of drowned U.S. national gets justice
Damages in the amount of ninety-thousand dollars have been awarded to the estate of the late Dr. Abigail Brinkman, a US national, who drowned off the coast of Placencia five years ago. The judgment was handed down by Justice Oswald Legall last week after finding the defendant, Vance Cabral, liable of the negligent demise of Brinkman. On October twenty-second, 2005 the twenty-eight year old doctor along with several other tourists set out on a scuba diving expedition some twenty-three and a half miles east of the peninsula. Whilst on their way to the site the vessel they were traveling in, Advanced One, belonging to Cabral began experiencing mechanical difficulties. Realizing that the problem could not be resolved the occupants on board decided to swim to nearby Silk Caye to seek help. Two days later the lifeless body of Brinkman was discovered floating face down in the Caribbean Sea. Following the tragedy her parents, Roger and Janet Brinkman, filed a claim for negligence against the tour operator and were successfully awarded seventy thousand dollars in damages. The American couple was additionally awarded nineteen thousand, six hundred and seventeen dollars in special damages plus costs of court.
No doubt that this was a case of negligence.However i am hoping that Belizean Citizens will be given thesame type of justice when confronted with a tragedy of this magnitude.
You got to look at the bright side they are American and Americans get good justice. And also this was not a hard case to solve and too American has better lawyers in their justice system they are real lawyers I trust in them.
Hey living good in the usa; don’ t beat around the bush; blurt out that racist, derogatory statement you really want to make, i can see your lips quivering from here.
Don’t bother with the euphemism friend, tell the world what you really think.
The only way one gets justice in belize if you are rich.if u are a poor belizean,the police dont care about making sure u get justice,if you are rich,laws are made,and pass to protect your buisness(……………….)novelos bus company.poor belizeans,they are against educated criminals with a law degree in power.who come to them as wolfs dress as sheep.
Actually I think most Americans are quick to sue and know they can likely get a good judgement as people are suing each other for anything and everything here in america. I think most belizeans would mark it to the accident that it was and keep things simple while grieving their loss.
Americans are smart they know how to use and apply the law not like us bubu silly head Belizeans who humble ourselves and settle for less we never put up a fight we never research and review the laws that protect us. We need to start using our heads and lets use this as an example that justice can be served we just need to fight for it.
I remember the days when “one” couldn’t SUE the Agencies or Government of Belize. I had a Colleague, who went to the Old Belize Hospital in ‘1990, for a minor Hernia Operation.
He left the Hospital complaining of Severe Pain in the Groin Area.
He was advised however; That the pain wil eventually go away. After another Emergency Visit, he was given Pain Killers. My Former Colleague never made it.
It was later Determined that a “bloody cotton ball” was sewn up inside his Groin.
As they term it, he Succombed Acute Pneumonia. Belize has indeed come a long way:
if this was a poor black person from Belize they would;nt get justice, but because they dah white people they get justice and this is not not fair for us Black people.
I am upset at this one!!
MR~ It has nothing to do with COLOR … i wish people would stop being so racist ..