Former UNC Senator sues Petrotrin

Ryan, 49, and Athena, 20, a UWI student both contend in their lawsuit that they were and have been exposed to toxic hydrocarbon fumes from a Petrotrin well located 40 feet opposite their Hickling Village, Fyzabad home.

The lawsuit which was filed in the registry of the San Fernando High Court, claims that medical tests revealed the well’s gas emmissions caused Ryan to suffer from pulmonary fibrosis — an irreversible lung disease.

His lawsuit also stated that doctors have tested him for cancer of the lungs (oat cell carcinoma). He listed six other medical problems in his lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by Mahendranath Dhaniram and also states Ryan’s daughter suffers from respiratory illness and reactive airways disease.

Ryan (Athena) is an Edu-cation/Humanities student at the St Augustine campus of UWI. The lawsuit stated that Ryan, his wife Leaflet and their daughter Athena have been living at Hickling Village since 1994, obliquely opposite Oil Well FZ 94 which has been in existence since 1927.

Ryan and his family still live at the location and Petrotrin recently capped this well.

According to the lawsuit, the well emitted toxic hydrocarbon fumes and also seeped oil which was collected in a pit located near the well. The pit often overflowed, the lawsuit claimed.

Ryan contends that Petrotrin acted negligently by failing to ensure the well was properly sealed and capped and also failed to conduct proper tests to ensure hydrocarbon fumes and toxic gases do not escape.

Ryan accused Petrotrin of failing to properly maintain and inspect the well. According to the lawsuit, between February and March this year, Ryan wrote three letters to the office of Petrotrin’s Executive Chairman outlining the issue of emission of hydrocarbon fumes.

Ryan stated that fumes impacted negatively on his health, which resulted in frequent doctor visits.

He stated that he spent several nights on ventilators at the San Fernando General Hospital.

With medical exhibits attached to his lawsuit, Ryan stated he developed chronic airflow obstruction, insomnia, wheezing and fatigue.

Ryan, however, in a third letter to the company, requested compensation for relocation and the deterioration of his health. Petrotrin acknowleged the letter and put up Ryan and his family at a hotel while they carried out remedial works to the well.

Ryan is seeking damages for negligence and special damages for medical expenses for both he and his daughter.