S
Sun Quan
Guest
Jan 6, 2011
Court halves payout to accident victim
Ex-rugby player now gets about $400,000; judge rules previous award unjustified
By Selina Lum
A FORMER member of the national junior rugby team who was hit by a taxi six years ago has had his monetary payout for the accident halved by the High Court.
Mr Lee Wei Kong, now 23, who was awarded close to $1 million by an assistant registrar in late 2009, will now get about $400,000, most of it for loss of earning capacity.
He was crossing the road at the junction of Jurong Town Hall Road and Jurong Avenue 1 on his way to church on Jan 2, 2005 when he was hit by the taxi.
He suffered head and spinal injuries, and spent the next six months in hospital.
Physiotherapy has since aided his recovery. He can now walk, swim, play recreational sports and travel on public transport. He is also pursuing a fine arts course at the Lasalle College of the Arts.
In 2006, the year after the accident, his father Lee Swee Chit sued taxi driver Ng Siok Tong, seeking compensation for his son's injuries, medical bills and loss of future income.
In 2008, the insurers for the cabby agreed to accept most - 75 per cent - of the blame for the accident.
Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.
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