$2M award for quadriplegic

Baptiste, a former employee of the Ministry of Works in Tobago, was knocked down on the Claude Noel Highway on June 16, 2001.

Baptiste’s injuries were so severe that a High Court judge was forced to convene court at Baptiste’s bedside for him to give evidence.

Justice Judith Jones presided in the case in the San Fernando Civil Court. Baptiste was represented by attorney Prakash Deonarine, instructed by attorney Rennie Singh. The defendants in the case were Lenora Patrick and the Bankers Insurance Company Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. In court documents, Baptiste said that on June 18, 2001, at 5 pm he was driving in a westerly direction along the Claude Noel Highway. He was in the single-lane highway, driving a Suzuki to Coral Gardens, Buccoo.

Baptiste stated that he was driving around 50 kilometres per hour when the accident occurred close to Moses Garage, near Lambeau.

He stated that he saw a car driving slowly on the shoulder of the road and when that car was about to overtake a vehicle in front of his, he suddenly felt an impact. "I was not overtaking any vehicle at this time," the plaintiff Baptiste stated in an affidavit. "I lost control because of the sudden impact of (the car) hitting the vehicle," he stated.

Baptiste became pinned between the fender and the vehicle when his vehicle capsized.

Baptiste recalled waking up at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. After about a week, he stated, he began to feel pain, discomfort and nausea. "The pain," Baptiste stated, "became unbearable at times and continues even to this day. When the pain in my back comes on, it is severe and someone has to change my position as I cannot move myself."

Baptiste stated that he experiences pains in his fingers and hands, such that his left hand is unable to grip or hold anything. He said he suffers spasms throughout his body five or six times per day. He stated that he experiences difficulty sleeping because of pain, irritation and discomfort.

Confined to a bed, Baptiste told Newsday yesterday: "I could never be happy, because of the way I am now." He said he is unable to swallow solid food and cannot stand noise, even a coin dropping on the floor.

Jones awarded Baptiste $1,567,655.30 in general damages with interest. Special damages were awarded of $141, 176.17.