Pietermaritzburg - A Pietermaritzburg man, has taken legal steps against the Golden Horse Casino after a gaming machine he was playing on exploded, sending an electrical shock through his body on Sunday afternoon.
Asogan Naicker told The Witness on Monday the casino had refunded him the R200 he had put into the machine as well as the R1 000 in credits he had accrued on his "card", but said he had been upset when the casino would not pick up the bill for his overnight hospitalisation at Daymed private hospital after the incident.
In the end, despite a doctor's written recommendation that he be admitted to hospital for observation, he had accepted some pain medication and went home about seven hours after the incident.
He said he was feeling "much better" on Monday. However, he believes he was put at risk by the casino's failure to ensure that he received the necessary treatment.
Naicker said among other things the doctor had said it was necessary to monitor his heart rate through the night and ensure that he had not sustained any internal injuries.
His attorney, V Khan, sent a letter to the general manager of the casino on Monday confirming Naicker's instructions to proceed with a civil claim against the casino for "medical expenses incurred, future medical expenses and for pain and suffering".
It is alleged in the letter that Naicker injured his back as a result of the explosion.
Big bang
Describing the incident to The Witness, Naicker said he is a regular visitor to the casino.
He was pressing one of the buttons on the machine he was playing at about 15:00 when there was a "big bang" and he felt an electric current go through him, causing pain and making him jump.
He was accompanied by his girlfriend, Reena Cuppusamy, who heard the explosion along with several other patrons.
Naicker said while waiting for an ambulance later it was suggested that he be taken to Northdale hospital. However, he and his partner were not happy with the suggestion, as he preferred to be taken to a private hospital.
Agreement was eventually reached for him to be taken to Daymed private hospital. However, after he had been seen by a doctor at Daymed who recommended that he be admitted for the night, it proved impossible to obtain confirmation from the casino that his bill would be settled by the casino.
After being pushed from "pillar to post" over several hours and feeling exhausted, Naicker said he made the decision late at night to go home. He was given pain medication by the doctor on duty and left.
General manager of the Golden Horse Casino, Patrick Beney, said on Monday he preferred not to comment at this stage.
He said a lawyer's letter had been issued on behalf of Naicker, to which the casino had responded via its attorneys.
