Sluggish insurance have Bradford at wits’ end
“I was injured at the Super Spar, but their insurance has not paid for anything.”
JOHANNESBURG – Gerald Bradford (66) sustained an arm injury after tripping over box straps at the Kenilworth Super Spar last year on November 24 and now he struggles to pay for physiotherapy.
Bradford’s struggles started when his medical aid was exhausted and he started paying medical care expenses with his pension money, which he depended on to pay for electricity, water and food.
The accident occurred after he went into the store to buy groceries. He was taken to hospital by a friend. The store told him that their insurance company would compensate him.
He paid for physiotherapy with his medical aid and pension money, but he cannot afford it anymore. He feels that he has not recovered the strength in his right arm and depends on his left arm to control the steering wheel when he is driving.
Bradford is a pensioner and a bachelor from the Hills. He cannot afford to travel to the representatives of Zone Insurance (AIG) and he finds the queues exhausting.
“I would appreciate any help from any person who can help me. I cannot afford to pay for everything. This costs me petrol, money and time I do not have,” said Bradford.
“This is a liability claim, which can be complicated for the third party. They are also not guaranteed as they are negotiated. Usually the person pays all the fees and brings the accumulated invoices to us. We pay out when we feel the injury is worth the money that was spent on physiotherapy.
“Because Bradford cannot afford to pay anymore, he must go to a doctor and ask for a comprehensive note, which will state the amount of time and money that will be needed to complete physiotherapy sessions. That is when we can make a partial payment,” said sales consultant Fikile Guma from Zone Insurance.
