source: mb.com.ph
Two injured survivors of last year's Manila tour bus bloodbath are considering a HK$500,000 offer from an insurance firm, though they are far from satisfied.
Joe Chan Kwok-chu made the remark yesterday after Chartis Insurance Hong Kong, which underwrote the tour, offered him HK$150,000 and his girlfriend, Yik Siu-ling, HK$350,000, via trust funds to cover their medical, rehabilitation, and living expenses for the next two years.
Chan, 47, who was shot in the wrists, said acceptance could compromise a potential civil suit against the company.
Chartis said Yik, 34, may draw a monthly allowance of HK $12,000 and Chan, HK$6,000 from the funds for the next two years. They can also use the funds to pay for their medical and rehabilitation expenses, with the total sum capped at HK $500,000.
The firm made it clear the money is "a donation," "not payment of a claim, or any benefit under their travel insurance policies."
Checks for the first instalment were sent to the pair yesterday, but Chan said lawmaker Fred Li Wah-ming is holding them until they reach a decision on their next move.
Yik was unable to speak yesterday, having recently received treatment for a bullet-shattered jaw.
Chan said they need time to consider the "complicated offer," which they found "hard to understand." But they hope the company will come up with a larger sum - to which they feel entitled.
Li, who has been helping the pair, said they are considering lodging a complaint with the Insurance Claims Complaints Bureau and filing civil claims.
Insurance-sector lawmaker Chan Kin-por, who also helped in the negotiations, said: "I personally think it will be a pity if they don't accept it."
He said Yik was offered more as she must undergo further surgery and also take care of a two- year-old son.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Insurance Practitioners General Union chairman Roy Cheung Wai-leung called on the government to stop the current arrangement under which tour agencies sell travel insurance.
He said the defects of the system are revealed in payout disputes in wake of the Aug.23 Manila hostage crisis.
Cheung said travel agents do not fully explain insurance plans, but insurers get the blame. He warned of a street protest in the event of inaction.
Meanwhile, Tse Chi-kin, elder brother of slain tour guide Masa Tse Ting-chunn, said survivors received a reply dated last March 28 from Philippine Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to their March 7 letter requesting information to assist the Hong Kong death inquest which closed last month.
He found the late reply ridiculous and useless. (The Standard)
source: mb.com.ph
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment