In a significant development for victims of the listeriosis outbreak, Tiger Brands, in collaboration with legal firms Richard Spoor Inc and LHL Attorneys, has agreed to provide advance payments to individuals with urgent medical needs.
The agreement marks a crucial step in the ongoing legal battle. While the class action lawsuit continues and liability has not yet been legally established, this interim relief aims to assist those in dire circumstances while legal proceedings unfold.
Discussions are also underway to extend this support to other qualifying claimants facing similar hardships.
Over 200 lives were lost in 2018 due to a listeriosis outbreak linked to Tiger Brands. Several children were born with health complications due to listeriosis, such as cerebral palsy and brain damage, and families are seeking compensation.
A critical relief for affected individuals
“We are glad to have open lines of communication with the defendants at this critical time in the class action,” said Richard Spoor, founding director of Richard Spoor Inc.
“This is an important inroad and a first step in the parties’ efforts towards justice for the victims of the listeriosis outbreak. The interim advance payments will go some way towards relieving the acute needs of the recipients.”
In October 2024, Tiger Brands acknowledged that their legal representatives were engaging with the plaintiffs’ attorneys to determine a course of action for providing relief to those with immediate medical requirements. The decision to advance payments reflects a commitment to alleviating suffering, despite the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the class action lawsuit.
For privacy reasons, details regarding the payments will remain confidential. However, this move has been welcomed as an essential first step in addressing the needs of the victims.
A long and difficult journey
The legal process surrounding the class action has been lengthy and complex. While Tiger Brands is not legally required to provide interim relief at this stage, the company acknowledges the severe hardships faced by affected individuals.
“The legal process has proved long and arduous,” said Tjaart Kruger, chief executive officer of Tiger Brands.
“Even though liability has not yet been determined and Tiger Brands has no legal obligation to provide interim relief at this stage in the class action, the interim advance payment to a number of claimants with urgent needs recognises the debilitating circumstances in which they find themselves.
Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger
“Where the company has been provided with required information and documentation to enable decision-making in the process, we will act swiftly. Today’s announcement represents an important milestone.”
Tiger Brands has also expressed its commitment to continuing discussions with legal representatives to assess further claimants who may qualify for assistance.
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Next steps in the legal process
Another key development in the legal proceedings is the progress made in obtaining records from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). These records are expected to provide critical insights into the investigation of the listeriosis outbreak and may help expedite legal proceedings.
“We are particularly pleased to report that progress has been made in our longstanding efforts to gain access to the NICD’s records relating to their investigation of the listeriosis outbreak,” said Kruger.
“The NICD has agreed to cooperate with us and will be making their records available to the parties as soon as possible. We believe that access to the NICD’s records will greatly assist the parties in moving the matter forward.”
The class action lawsuit is currently in its first phase, during which the court must determine whether Tiger Brands is liable for the outbreak. If the company is found liable, the case will proceed to the second phase, where the court will assess the causation and the compensation owed to qualifying claimants.
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