BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A former employee of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine this morning (Apr. 28) staged a one-man protest outside Government Headquarters for what he claimed to be an effort for the new Administration to assist him in acquiring compensation for injuries sustained at the learning institution.
The placard-bearing protestor, Kevin Burroughs of Cunningham Village, Lower Cayon, told SKNVibes that he was twice kicked on the right knee by a donkey and is now partially physically disabled because of two damaged cartilage in that area.
On Friday, July 13, 2012, while working at Ross University, I was kicked by a donkey and, while thinking they would compensate me, they told me that they are not under any legal obligation whatsoever for me to be fully compensated.”
He said the matter is in court but “the pain I am actually going through, no one knows and understands it. I have bills that continue to pile up and I try to speak to many people but no one gave me an ear. So, today, this is my way of getting out to the public what actually happened to me in 2012”.
Burroughs, in response to the reason for protesting at that location and not at the University, said he wanted the Government and the nation to be aware of what transpired during and after his injuries.
“I am here protesting not only for the Government to do something about it, but to let people know what is going on in this country. Because, when I went to the Labour Department they told me that they are very sorry but they can’t do nothing to help me. When I asked them what they mean by that, they said that because Ross University is doing enough for my country, and due to the fact that they are doing enough for my country they cannot assist me. I said to them if Ross University is doing so much for my country then I should be fully compensated, because without me my country is nothing.”
The unemployed 27-year-old said the damage to his knee could be repaired but he is not financially endowed to undergo medical treatment.
“I have two broken cartilage in my knee and the cost to fix this is more than $30 000. I have been home for three years on sick leave and I can’t come up with $30 000.”
He is of the view that the laws of the land pertaining to his situation are unjust.
“I got two kicks on my right knee. And because of laws that we have here in the Federation, they are under no legal obligation, as they say, to look after me. But, to me, it is nonsense! I got damaged while doing my job, not just on the job but be doing my job. And for me to be out on disablement pension for 21 months, certified leave for almost three years, 44 months home, this is not a life.”
Burroughs alleged that he had sought assistance from the previous Administration but was denied.
“I tried talking to the former Administration and I got no answer, I got no help. This one, they say no victimisation, so I am looking forward to them to look into this matter seriously, because it is not me alone got injured there and nothing has been done. Other people got injured there and the nonsense they told them is not what should be told. And the people who got injured should be compensated because people do their best and put out the effort to do their work.”
Burroughs explained that during his employ at Ross University, he was required to work from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. He however stated that on that unforgettable Friday the incident had occurred after 3:00 p.m.
“I work with animals and I could have gone home that afternoon and leave those animals where they were, but on the Monday morning I would not have had a job. It was already after 3:00 p.m. and everybody else had gone home, but while I was leaving at 3:25 p.m. they called me back and I deal with the donkeys. That is when I was injured.”
Burroughs is however pessimistic that the Government would address his situation.
