Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Government is to pay $13.5 million in damages to a woman who was shot in the head by a member of a police party six years ago, leaving her an epileptic for life.

Deborah Douglas, 29, former accounts clerk, of Ensom Acres, St. Catherine, had damages assessed in her favour.

The Attorney-General, who was the respondent, accepted liability after the negligence suit was filed.

Acting Supreme Court Judge Marva McDonald-Bishop assessed damages and made the award.

Douglas was shot and seriously injured in a taxi in the Caymanas Area, of St. Catherine, on March 27, 2000. It was reported that the police were chasing four gunmen and accidentally fired shots, one of which hit Douglas.

Attorney-at-law Jacqueline Cummings, of Archer Cummings and Co., who represented Douglas, asked the court to make a substantial award because her client suffered serious brain injury and will never be able to work again.

Special testimony

When Douglas was called to testify, she could not hold the Bible in the traditional manner because she has lost the use of her right hand. She was allowed to hold the Bible in her left hand and then rest it on her right hand. She had difficulty repeating the oath because her speech is severely affected as a result of the injury and was allowed to mark an X to signify that she had read the oath. She could only nod or shake her head when she was asked questions.

Dr. Randolph Cheeks, senior consultant neurosurgeon, said the injury to the head left Douglas an epileptic. The doctor said Douglas' language function was severely impaired and she was unable to function in any capacity in her usual socio-economic environment. She cannot use her right hand, she has no useful vision in the left eye and has to be supervised for the rest of her life.