Parents get $250,000 interim award for lead-poisoned sons

AFTER six years of waiting for the State to pay compensation for the death of their nine-year-old son from lead poisoning which also left the dead boy’s brother disabled, Albert and Cheryl Soodeen have been granted an interim payment of $250,000. The State yesterday awarded the sum pending a complete assessment of damages to ascertain the total sum of money which should be awarded. The Soodeens, of Demerara Road, Wallerfield, filed a lawsuit for negligence, claiming that deposits of lead materials in the vicinity of their home affected their children - Ronald, 9 and Mark, 7. Ronald died in 1996. Mark still undergoes medical treatment. In 1997, retired Justice Bissoodath Ramlogan ordered damages be assessed as a matter of urgency. The case came up for hearing on several occasions during which time submissions were made before a judge on the availability of medical records to ascertain Mark’s medical condition and his prognosis.

Last month, the assessment case was called before Justice Mira Dean Armorer. The law firm of Daltons, representing the Soodeens, filed a summons in the Sub-Registry, San Fernando, seeking an interim payment from the State of $250,000. The Soodeens stated in an affidavit they are entitled to substantial damages, but since judgement was handed down, the family has incurred expenses in assessing the medical condition of Mark. The boy’s condition needs to be continually assessed, it stated, to facilitate medical treatment locally or abroad. The summons sought an order of  the Court for the State to make the interim payment. Yesterday, when the case came up before Justice Dean Armorer, attorneys Lynette Maharaj SC and Joan Samlalsingh of Daltons, represented the Soodeens. Attorney Krishna Narinesingh of the Solicitor General Department, appeared for the State. It was agreed by consent that the State will pay $250,000. The assessment will come up for hearing on July 18.