A controversy has erupted at a The Sangster International airport after the nephew of a deceased man expressed his outrage over being charged with negligence. The incident occurred when the nephew was traveling with his elderly uncle, who tragically collapsed and passed away shortly after arrival at the airport. According to reports, the nephew is now facing charges of negligence, which he claims are unfounded and insensitive, given the circumstances. The nephew made claims that he was charged $10,000 JMD by the ambulance inspite the fact that his uncle was already dead when they arrived, the nephew shared the transaction with the public showing the charge, the ambulance however denied claims of such as no charges should be issued for ambulance services.
The nephew, who has chosen to remain anonymous, described the situation as devastating. He explained that his uncle had been unwell before the trip, but they had taken every precaution to ensure his safety during the journey. Despite these efforts, his uncle suffered a medical emergency that neither he nor airport staff could have predicted. The charges against him allege that he failed to adequately attend to his uncle’s medical needs, though the family vehemently denies this.
Speaking to local media, the nephew expressed disbelief at the authorities’ decision to press charges. "I’m already mourning my uncle’s death, and now I’m being blamed for it," he said. "We did everything we could, but no one can predict something like this happening. Instead of helping us through this difficult time, they’re making it worse by treating me like a criminal."
The family has received an outpouring of public sympathy, with many questioning why charges would be brought in such a tragic situation. On social media, Jamaicans expressed their frustration, accusing the authorities of being heartless in their handling of the case. "This family deserves compassion, not prosecution," one commenter wrote. Another echoed the sentiment, saying, "No one should face charges for a situation beyond their control, especially when they've already lost a loved one."
Legal experts have weighed in on the matter, suggesting that the charges could be difficult to uphold in court. According to Jamaican law, negligence is defined as a failure to exercise the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have in similar circumstances. However, proving negligence in cases involving sudden medical emergencies can be challenging, as it requires demonstrating that the individual’s actions—or lack thereof—directly contributed to the death.
"There’s a difference between negligence and an unfortunate situation that no one could have prevented," said one lawyer familiar with the case. "If the nephew can show that he took reasonable steps to care for his uncle, it will be very difficult for the prosecution to make their case."
The family has indicated that they are considering legal action against the airport and the authorities for how the situation has been handled. They claim that their requests for medical assistance at the airport were delayed and inadequate, which may have contributed to the uncle’s death. "We feel like they’re trying to shift the blame onto us to cover their own failings," the nephew said. "It’s not right, and we’re going to fight this."
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to spark debate about how sudden medical emergencies should be handled in public spaces and whether relatives should be held accountable in the aftermath. The family hopes that the charges will eventually be dropped, allowing them to focus on mourning their loss without the added burden of legal troubles.(Photos from Jamaica Observer and Jamaica Gleaner)
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