Mr. Donald JacksonUp Front
Gov't Insurers Sued
Mr. Donald Jackson
Former General Manager of Caribbean HomeInsurance Co. Ltd, Mr. Donald Jackson, is suing the insurancecompany for wrongful dismissal and to recover losses and damagessuffered as a result.
According to the writ of summons filed inthe Grand Court on 8 March, Mr. Jackson is seeking compensationfor loss and damage to the tune of CI$318,000.
A breakdown of the figure shows claim forone year's salary ($156,000); bonus payment for 2000 ($60,000)and estimated bonus for 2001 ($50,000), and health insurance premiumsdue from 1st February 2001 to 31st January, 2002 ($6,000), amongother particulars.
Mr. Jackson was the General Manager of CaribbeanHome Insurance for 24 years.
According to the writ of summons, a letterto Mr. Jackson dated 31st January from Polack & Co., actingas attorneys for the company, revoked the Power of Attorney grantedto him on 11 May 1990 "to conduct, manage and carry on theinsurance business" of the company.
Mr. Jackson's affidavit filed with the courtalso indicated that he was advised, via the same letter "thateffective immediately he was to take no further action" onbehalf of Caribbean Home.
According to the writ of summons, on 1stFebruary, the Defendant (Caribbean Home) changed the locks atits offices, without notifying Mr. Jackson, thereby denying himaccess to the premises."
Since 1st February, Mr. Ricardo Lijertwoodhas assumed the position of team leader of Caribbean Home's Caymanbranch.
Responding to Cayman Net News' questionsabout the impending legal action, Mr. Peter Polack, attorney forthe insurance company said, "It is the position of CaribbeanHome Insurance that Mr. Donald Jackson was never terminated bythem and that he was the one who terminated his employment onthe advice of his lawyer."
"The matter is being defended and thecourts will decided the final outcome," Mr. Polack added.
Mr. Jackson is represented by Mr. RamonAlberga QC, instructed by the law firm, Myers & Alberga.
Caribbean Home Insurance was up until recentlythe main health insurers of the Cayman Islands Government employees.However, on 1st March, the insurer notified the Government thatit was proposing to change the arrangements for the health insuranceplan (see issue 64).
The company, incorporated in Trinidad andTobago, has been operating in the Cayman Islands since April 1989and holds a Class "A" insurance licence.
A recent article in the Trinidad Guardianreported that Caribbean Home has declared a profit of TT$16.76million, an increase of 77.6 percent over 1999.
Company Chairman, David Collen, attributedthe company's success to the expectional growth in gross premiumwhich increased 36 percent. He said growth initiatives in Barbadosand Cayman came on stream and all other territories achieved theirpremium income target.