Dear Claudienne,

After I was injured and permanently disabled in an accident at my workplace on October 16, 2019, I applied for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Employment Injury Benefit in April 2020. It has been over five years, and the NIS office, to date, has failed to process my claim.

After my continued efforts over time to have the NIS office rectify the matter, in September 2025 I was informed by an NIS officer that some sick notes were missing from my file.

I pointed out to the officer that although the NIS office had stated that some of the sick notes were missing they had refused to tell me the dates on the missing sick notes. The failure of the NIS to also communicate the missing sick note dates to my employer has also delayed the processing of my claim, I told the NIS officer.

When I checked with my employer, I was told that there were no missing sick note dates. I also discovered that the NIS had been negligent and had not notified my employer of all the requirements for the timely settlement of my claim.

Eventually I was directed to a senior NIS officer to have the problems corrected and she contacted my employer and my doctor.

She was informed that they both had certified the medical certificate for 180 days and this verified that there are no issues with the sick notes. The NIS Office must account for its gross negligence and misplacement of the records that have prevented the processing of my claim for over five years.

I would appreciate your help in this matter.

CA

Dear CA,

Tell Claudienne has been in communication with the NIS on the matter and you have informed the column that the agency has contacted you and settled your claim.

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility, or company? Telephone 876- 936-9436 or CELL/whatsapp # 876-484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.