A family left paralysed after eating contaminated wild boar have been dealt a fresh blow, with claims insurance will not cover their hospital bill.
Paramedics found Shibu Kochummen, 35, his wife Subi Babu, 32, and his mother Alekutty Daniel, 62, unconscious in their home in Putaruru, New Zealand, last month.
Doctors feared the three would be paralysed for life, but they woke from a vegetative state two weeks after consuming meat from a boar they killed on a hunting trip.
A family (pictured) left paralysed after eating contaminated wild boar have been dealt a fresh blow, with claims insurance will not cover their hospital bill
The boar meat consumed by the family members is suspected to have contained botulism, a fatal toxin.
Mr Kochummen and Ms Daniel can walk again using a stick or walker, but Ms Babu still requires personal assistance and is having motor skill problems.
Family friend Joji Varghese said Ms Babu was the worst affected, and even has difficulty using a pen.
After waking from their two-week vegetative state the husband and wife are suffering memory loss, their problems compounded by their insurance woes.
They fear state insurance provider Accident Compensation Corporation will not cover their medical costs, The New Zealand Herald reported.
Mr Varghese claimed an ACC representative told the family ingestion of bacteria does not count as an accident if it is not the result of a crime.
Paramedics found Shibu Kochummen, 35, his wife Subi Babu, 32, and his mother Alekutty Daniel, 62, unconscious in their home in Putaruru, New Zealand, last month (pictured with the couple’s two children)
The family would therefore not be covered, but would not appeal because the ACC will ‘keep coming back with legislation’.
Mr Varghese said he wanted to raise awareness of the rule, and hopefully succeed in changing the law.
‘Policy-makers should look at this piece of legislation … the worst part is legislation is put into place by people that we common New Zealanders vote into power,’ he said.
Doctors fear the three would be paralysed for life, but they woke from a vegetative state two weeks after consuming meat from a boar they killed on a hunting trip (pictured are the husband and wife and their eldest daughter)
An ACC spokesman told The New Zealand Herald he was unable to comment on the matter unless the family provide a privacy waiver.
The couple have two children aged seven and one, and their oldest daughter was overjoyed when her parents regained consciousness.
Mr Kochummen, who moved from Kerala in India to New Zealand five years ago, was a keen hunter who would make monthly trips, and regularly ate wild boar.
Now the family (pictured) fear state insurance provider Accident Compensation Corporation will not cover their medical costs