Dana Air insurers begin final settlement of $100,000

As promised, i told u i would investigate and get back to you. well, this is what i found: Dana air insurers has started settlement of $100,000 to families of victims of the dana crash. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, here is a press release confirmed by Mr Tony Usidamen,  Dana Air’s Head of Corporate Communications.

Lagos, December 13, 2012 – Insurers of Dana Air, today, commenced payment of USD 70,000 to families of victims of the June 3 disaster after having made advance payments of USD 30,000 to over 80 families. The 1999 Montreal Convention, which is domesticated in Nigeria, stipulates that the sum of USD 100,000 be paid as compensation to families of victims of air disasters.

Confirming the payment to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Tony Usidamen, Dana Air’s Head of Corporate Communications said “Following receipt of Letter of Authentification from the Probate Registry, our insurers have begun balance payment of USD 70,000 to affected families. Only 4 other families have, so far, presented the requisite Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration, and payment will shortly be made to them.”

Usidamen explained that in order to assess and verify full compensation due and payable, it is necessary for claimants to produce the required Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration which would then have to be authenticated by the Probate Registry. “This is a customary procedure to ensure that just compensation is only paid to the right next-of-kin. Dana Air has no control over the speed with which the Probate Registry deals with the verification process, although maximum pressure is being exerted to expedite this.”

“Also, in the case of minors, a Letter of Guardianship has to be presented by the guardian or ward in order to access full payment. Again, this is not a pre-condition given by Dana Air or its insurers but a standard legal requirement to ensure that due compensation is paid only to those who have entitlement.”

Said Usidamen, “We appreciate how difficult this period is for all the families and are also aware of the challenges they are facing in getting the required legal documents for accessing the final payments. We, however, want to offer our assurances that they are not alone in the process and we will continue to work with the NCAA and other relevant authorities to assist them in every way possible. Thankfully, the Lagos State Government has promised to fast-track the process of obtaining the Letters of Administration from the Probate Registry.”

“Dana Air shares in the pain of all the affected families and we wish to re-iterate the readiness of our insurers to settle all claims in accordance with the law and available evidence, at the earliest opportunity,” Usidamen reassured.