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Three years after Mahdia dorm fire, legal battles intensify over state negligence
Vivtims of the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire.
(Kaieteur News) – On the anniversary of the May 21, 2023, Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire, which claimed the lives of 20 children, families of the indigenous victims are pursuing multi-million-dollar lawsuits against the State of Guyana. Led by attorneys Darren Wade and Eusi Anderson, the families seek to overturn government-imposed settlement caps, alleging they were coerced into signing liability waivers for $5 million per child without independent legal counsel.
Wade, representing guardians of 11 victims from Micobie and Chenapau, has filed claims exceeding $400 million per child. The lawsuits cite gross negligence and severe constitutional breaches, noting the facility lacked basic fire safety measures and had padlocked, grilled windows and doors.
Some tombs of victims of the dorm fire. (Photo: Khadidja Bâ)
Remaining structure of the dorms. (Photo by Khadidja Bâ)
Concurrently, Anderson secured a high court ruling setting aside a prior agreement signed under duress by Valerie Carter, whose twin daughters perished. This clears the way for an independent judicial valuation of their lives. Anderson also highlighted the state’s failure to compensate survivors battling physical injuries and severe trauma.
To prove the depth of this trauma, international psychiatric experts have evaluated the survivors. Guardians allege they were aggressively pressured into signing away their legal rights in exchange for an arbitrary $5 million payout per child. Parents recounted being explicitly told by state officials “Sign this agreement or you have nothing else to get from the government,” while being denied independent legal counsel, the state was represented in that meeting by now Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith.
Meanwhile, local families report deep resentment over unfulfilled state promises to build memorials and secure burial grounds, stating the administration has entirely abandoned its pledges.
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