By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tiger Brands has agreed to make advance payments to people seeking “urgent” medical attention related to the listeriosis outbreak that claimed more than 200 lives and infected more than 1,000 people in 2018.
This follows a long-standing class action against the company .
In a joint media statement, Tiger Brands, Richard Spoor Inc and LHL Attorneys confirmed that monies will be paid out to those who require urgent medical care while the class action against the manufacturer continues.
The details of the payments will remain confidential.
“The interim advance payments will go some way towards relieving the acute needs of the recipients,” the founding director of Richard Spoor Inc. said.
Tiger Brands chief executive officer, Tjaart Kruger, said the legal process has been long and arduous.
“Even though liability has not yet been determined and Tiger Brands has no legal obligation to provide interim relief at this stage in the class action, the interim advance payment to a number of claimants with urgent needs recognises the debilitating circumstances in which they find themselves. Where the company has been provided with required information and documentation to enable decision-making in the process, we will act swiftly,” Kruger said.
He said engagements between the parties’ legal representatives will continue in respect of the assessment of a number of claimants who may qualify for assistance, within the confines of the current process.
Kruger added the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has agreed to make its investigation records available to the parties affected.
“We believe that access to the NICD’s records will greatly assist the parties in moving the matter forward,” he said.
The outbreak was traced to a Tiger Brands facility based in Polokwane in Limpopo.
Richard Spoor Inc and LHL Attorneys added the class action is being managed in two stages.
The first stage is still underway, during which the court will determine liability.
In the second stage, if Tiger Brands is found to be liable, the issue of causation will arise, as will an assessment of compensation payable to qualifying claimants for damages suffered.