Client Update: 7 March 2023
LISTERIOSIS CLASS ACTION CLASS MEMBER UPDATE
Dear Listeriosis Class Action Claimants,
Between 2016 and 2018, over one thousand people suffered harm as a result of consuming products produced by Tiger Brands Ltd. Almost five years after the end of the outbreak, Tiger Brands continues to deny that they are legally liable for the harm. The Listeriosis Class Action team has made significant progress thus far in collecting our clients’ medical records, preparing expert reports, communicating with Tiger Brands, and drafting documentation that will be necessary to prove our case. At the beginning of 2023, we approached the NICD with a list of documents we require in order to proceed to trial. We await their response before we can procure a trial date.
STATUS OF MEDICAL RECORDS
Once a client has provided us with their hospitalisation information and a signed power of attorney, a signed medical release consent form, identity documents and, in the case of a deceased client, proof of relationship affidavits, we are able to request medical records from the hospital which treated them. Medical records are essential to prove that you or your loved one contracted listeriosis.
We are still waiting for hospitals to provide us with medical records and pathology test results for approximately 200 clients. In order for the hospital to locate the medical records, they require the patient’s date of admission, date of discharge, and patient number. If you have this information, a carrier card, or a discharge sheet, please reach out to us if you have not already done so.
If you or your loved one has been undergoing further treatment for health complications after listeriosis, please provide us with information on the treatment, and any records you have relating to the treatment.
CONSUMPTION AFFIDAVITS
Once we receive our client’s full medical records, we draft a “consumption affidavit” to confirm which foods were consumed before a person became ill with listeriosis, what symptoms a person experienced, and how long they were treated. We are pleased to have received approximately 150 signed and commissioned consumption affidavits from class members!
If you have received a consumption affidavit via email, and you have not yet signed this in the presence of a commissioner of oaths, please do so and return the affidavit to us as soon as you can.
If you have not yet received a consumption affidavit for signature, it is most likely due to the fact that we are awaiting your further medical records and/or blood test results. Once these records are received, your paralegal will be in contact with you regarding the signing of your affidavit.
CLASS MEMBER PARTICIPATION
To prove the harm suffered by our clients, we require documentation showing any financial harm suffered because of listeriosis. You will be getting a call from our paralegals to request documentation such as bank statements from the time of the outbreak, proof of employment at the time of the outbreak, salary slips, and so on. If you are in possession of these documents, please provide it to us.
We may also be in contact regarding any further consumption information or medical information that may not have been provided previously. We are constantly attempting to update the information we have on record and your continued co-operation is most appreciated.
CONTACT US
Thank you for providing the information and taking your time to sit through lengthy interviews, which help us in continuing to build a strong case against Tiger Brands. Get in touch with us via WhatsApp or send a ‘please call me’ to 082 044 0875. Alternatively, call our offices on 010 009 6925 or email us at info@rsinc.co.za.
Kind regards,
RSI and LHL
Class Attorneys