Family suffers after life insurance won’t pay out

A family of five is struggling to keep head above water after their head breadwinner, the father, passed away in August last year.

The Advertiser reported in 2018 of the death of Andy Brink, who passed away due to apparent medical negligence.

Boksburg paramedic Brink, witnessed three of his own toes amputated, and without apparently receiving proper medical care, had no other option but to have his right leg amputated just below the knee.

Less than a month later, Andy died from a seizure, a couple of days after a further amputation just above the knee.

READ STORY: Brink dies from seizure following another amputation 

“My father was our breadwinner and thanks to him we always had a roof over our head and food to eat. I recall how he always assured us we would be taken care of if something happened to him,” said the eldest daughter.

“My dad had life insurance and in the case that he passes away his plan was to have the money paid to his fiancee so she can make sure four children get our portions of the money.”

She said after applying for death benefits and his life insurance policy not long after his death, the family did not receive a cent.

The daughter said the insurer declined the claim because, according to them, the family had to prove that his death was ‘accidental’.

“Now we cannot afford rent and we have fallen into arrears while waiting and trusting the life insurance would pay out only to find out it was declined.

“My mother and I are working and our salaries cover nothing as we have to pay back the arrears.”

“We have no other way to prove that his death was an accident other than to [provide]death certificate and post mortem report.

“We hope that by making this public something will get done about it.

“We have tried reaching out to lawyers so that they can pay out but it seems like nothing is being done from their end and we can’t wait any longer; we have nothing and barely eat.”