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Justice Ricky Rahim. –

A BANK teller who slipped and fell in the kitchen of the Royal Bank branch on Independence Square, Port of Spain in 2015, will receive almost $300,000 in compensation as well as interest for her injuries.

On Tuesday, Justice Ricky Rahim ordered RBC to pay compensation to Jiselle Paul who will receive $180,000 for the bank’s negligence, plus interest and special damages of $99,383 for loss of opportunity for promotion from a little over a year. She will also receive $2,700 for transportation expenses. The bank was also ordered to pay her costs.

Paul was represented by attorney Larry Lalla while Ravi Nanga and Alana Bissessar represented the bank.

In her lawsuit, Paul said that on December 14, 2015, she was in the kitchen making a cup of tea when she was going to the sink to wash her teaspoon when she slipped on some water on the floor and fell.

Paul said she hit her head and the left side of her body, back, hip and leg. She was helped up by colleagues and someone came to mop the floor where she slipped. She also alleged the sink basin was shallow so usually napkins would be put on the ground to soak up water splashes.

Paul was diagnosed with a left sciatic nerve contusion from blunt force trauma because of the fall and later developed rheumatoid arthritis.

While the judge said he was not satisfied that her fall was caused by the spillage of water from the kitchen sink since the evidence did not demonstrate the liquid was water, he was, however, satisfied that she slipped on the liquid that was on the floor.

“Spillages in a kitchen are common and may result from all sorts of sources, such as a cup of tea, soft drink bottles, leaks from under a sink or from a nearby refrigerator, or even water from a cup or bottle of another worker.

“The real issue, therefore, concerns the issue of the duty of care in relation to the danger caused by the presence of the liquid.”

He said the bank had full managerial control over the kitchen with the responsibility to maintain not only the sink but do periodic checks to make it a safe working environment.

“There is no evidence that this was done.”

In its defence, the bank claimed the sink was one of several identical sinks in the building and was in keeping with normal standards.

It said it never received complaints or reports of accumulation of water on the floor close to the sink and its contracted janitorial staff was responsible for cleaning and mopping the floor in general as well as dealing with any spills.

The bank said staff had to call the janitorial staff to clean any spills and also denied the tiles were not slip-resistant.

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At Pigeon Point on Tuesday, the Khan and Maharaj families welcomed the lifting of the mask mandate, but said they would still take precaution under certain conditions. – David Reid

The lifting of the mask mandate after two years has been described as a breath of fresh air by some people who were interviewed by Newsday on Tuesday.

Owing to the covid19 pandemic, people were required to wear masks, face coverings or face shields in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

However, from last Sunday, this restriction was removed with certain limitations, allowing people to be able to move about freely and interact in businesses, restaurants and on the streets without fear of being fined for breaching the public health protocols.

The majority of people were still seen wearing masks on the streets on Tuesday.

When Newsday visited the Store Bay beach facility, a beachgoer said, “This is a breath of fresh air, so we’re enjoying this moment.” She said the mask mandate removal was long overdue.

Now allowed to be in public without wearing a mask, some in Scarborough said they would choose not to if outdoors, but will mask-up if in a crowd or confined space. – David Reid

La Romaine resident Muhammed Ahmed said he would continue masking.

“I would be 60 in August, and I want to protect myself. I have to protect myself; I want to live for my children, even my grandchildren maybe.”

While at Pigeon Point, a south Trinidad family was seen enjoying the moment. Kimberly Biran said she would continue to wear her mask.

“We’re on the beach now so no mask is fine, but going back to Trinidad and in confined spaces I personally would continue to wear my mask.

“It is scary, but I think once you take the necessary precautions, you’ll be fine.”

Mitra Maharaj, also of south Trinidad, shared similar sentiments.

“The removal of the mandate with mask-wearing in public spaces is a welcomed move, but it really comes down to taking precautionary measures still. When you’re in an enclosed environment, we definitely would keep our mask on especially with us and the kids.”

However, he has some nervousness especially in light of the reported presence of the omicron BA5 variant, which has been detected in TT among 20 samples sent for genomic testing at the University of the West Indies.

“It is something to be concerned about, but I trust in God and try to mitigate it as best as I can.”

In Scarborough, Ronnie Patrick, whose mask was under his chin, said he would continue to wear his, while his partner Sindy Khan-Patrick said the responsibility is now a personal one.

Some people in Scarborough, Tobago still opted to wear their masks on Tuesday even though the legal requirement to do so has been lifted. – David Reid

“The mandate has been removed, but it is now up to us as individuals to protect ourselves,” Khan-Patrick said.

At a nearby grocery, customers were seen entering with their masks properly affixed, and sanitising upon entry.

One customer said: “I thought there would have been more people without it, but we’re seeing people wearing their masks and sanitising just as before. I think everyone just wants to remain safe.”

Another customer said he was better able to breathe without the mask, but would wear it if he was travelling in a taxi or in any crowded place for his own protection.

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Una muerte violenta,!fue reportada en horas de la tarde de hoy, en la calle 25 de julio, cerca de una iglesia en Yauco. 

Según se informó preliminarmente, una llamada telefónica al Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1, alertó a las autoridades sobre unas detonaciones en el mencionado lugar y al llegar los agentes a la escena, encontraron el cuerpo de un hombre que aún no ha sido identificado, con varios balazos en circunstancias que se encuentran bajo investigación. 

Agentes adscritos a la División de Homicidios del Cuerpo de Investigaciones Criminales de Ponce, en unión al fiscal de turno, se dirigen a la escena. 

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