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2025 MarsdenLR 3233
MAHKAMAH SESYEN KUALA LUMPUR
ANNAD HASSAN & SATU LAGI LWN. LIM CHAI HOCK
[Guaman No: WA-B53KJ-50-08/2022]
Damages in personal injury cases must serve as fair compensation based on evidence, avoiding speculation, and must account for future medical needs and living adjustments due to injury.
Headnote:(A) Tort Law - Road Traffic Accidents - Liability distribution of 90% against Defendant and 10% contributory negligence by Plaintiff - Quantum of damages awarded for severe traumatic brain injury, lung contusion, fractures, and future medical expenses, totaling RM1,024,000.00 with specified interests. (Paras 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 102, 119)
(B) Damages - Principles of fair compensation - Damages must serve as compensation and not punishment; courts should avoid speculation and base decisions on cogent evidence. (Paras 9, 10, 11)
(C) Medical Evidence - The court assessed damages considering various medical reports and expert testimonies, emphasizing the necessity of future medical care and rehabilitation. (Paras 14, 24, 26, 100)
Facts of the case:
This case arises from a road traffic accident on 22 March 2019 involving the Plaintiff and Defendant, resulting in severe injuries to the Plaintiff, who is now bedridden and dependent on others for care. (Paras 3, 4)
Findings of Court:
The court awarded substantial damages for various injuries, future medical expenses, and care, reflecting the Plaintiff's ongoing needs and the impact of the accident on their life. (Paras 5, 6, 102, 119)
Issues: The main issues included the assessment of quantum for damages, the necessity of future medical treatment, and the appropriateness of the proposed distribution of damages. (Paras 8, 119)
Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that damages should be fair and reflective of the injuries sustained, with emphasis on the need for future care and the impact on the Plaintiff's quality of life. (Paras 9, 10, 119)
Result: Appeal dismissed; damages awarded as claimed.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. appeal on quantum decision. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. overview of damages awarded. (Para 4 , 5) |
| 3. court's decision on payment terms. (Para 6 , 7) |
| 4. legal principles on damages. (Para 8 , 9) |
| 5. assessment of damages. (Para 10 , 11) |
| 6. consideration of medical reports. (Para 12 , 13 , 14) |
| 7. arguments for severe injuries. (Para 15 , 16 , 17) |
| 8. comparison with prior cases. (Para 18 , 19 , 20) |
| 9. court's analysis of injuries. (Para 21 , 22 , 23) |
| 10. conclusion on injury severity. (Para 24 , 25) |
| 11. final decision on damages. (Para 26 , 27) |
| 12. determination of lung contusion damages. (Para 28 , 29 , 30) |
| 13. assessment of clavicle fracture damages. (Para 31 , 32 , 33) |
| 14. consideration of scars. (Para 34 , 35 , 36) |
| 15. court's decision on scar damages. (Para 37 , 38 , 39) |
| 16. assessment of orbital wall fracture. (Para 40 , 41 , 42) |
| 17. analysis of future surgery costs. (Para 43 , 44 , 45) |
| 18. court's decision on pain and suffering. (Para 46 , 47 , 48) |
| 19. conclusion on special damages. (Para 49 , 50) |
| 20. decision on employer's contributions. (Para 51 , 52 , 53) |
| 21. consideration of future loss. (Para 54 , 55 , 56) |
| 22. defendant's arguments on evidence. (Para 57 , 58 , 59) |
| 23. assessment of travel expenses. (Para 60 , 61 , 62) |
| 24. court's decision on travel costs. (Para 63 , 64 , 65) |
| 25. conclusion on outpatient treatment. (Para 66 , 67 , 68) |
| 26. assessment of future medical costs. (Para 69 , 70 , 71) |
| 27. decision on surgical costs. (Para 72 , 73 , 74) |
| 28. court's reasoning on medical treatment. (Para 75 , 76 , 77) |
| 29. assessment of physiotherapy costs. (Para 78 , 79 , 80) |
| 30. conclusion on physiotherapy. (Para 81 , 82 , 83) |
| 31. final decision on physiotherapy. (Para 84 , 85 , 86) |
| 32. assessment of wheelchair costs. (Para 87 , 88 , 89) |
| 33. court's decision on wheelchair expenses. (Para 90 , 91 , 92) |
| 34. assessment of medical paraphernalia costs. (Para 93 , 94 , 95) |
| 35. court's decision on medical expenses. (Para 96 , 97 , 98) |
| 36. conclusion on medical needs. (Para 99 , 100 , 101) |
| 37. assessment of nursing care costs. (Para 102 , 103 , 104) |
| 38. court's decision on caregiving. (Para 105 , 106 , 107) |
| 39. conclusion on home modifications. (Para 108 , 109 , 110) |
| 40. final decision on home repairs. (Para 111 , 112 , 113) |
| 41. court's reasoning on future payments. (Para 114 , 115 , 116) |
| 42. final conclusion on quantum. (Para 117 , 118) |
[1] Ini merupakan rayuan pihak Defendan terhadap keputusan yang diberikan pada 10 Mac 2025 untuk kuantum sahaja.
[2] Pada 19 September 2024, pihak-pihak telah bersetuju untuk merekodkan bahawa liabiliti diagihkan di antara kedua-dua pihak pada kadar 90% terhadap Defendan dan 10% sumbang cuai oleh Plaintif Pertama.
Latar Belakang
[3] lni merupakan satu tindakan yang dibangkitkan oleh Plaintif-plaintif terhadap Defendan akibat daripada satu kemalangan jalan raya yang berlaku pada 22 Mac 2019 lebih kurang pukul 10.15 pagi yang melibatkan motosikal TBR 8561 yang ditunggang oleh Plaintif Pertama dengan motosikal WME 1593 yang ditunggang oleh Defendan. Plaintif Kedua merupakan kakak serta wakil litigasi untuk Plaintif Pertama.
[4] Perbicaraan telah berjalan dengan enam orang saksi di pihak Plaintif. Defendan tidak memanggil sebarang saksi. Saksi-saksi yang dipanggil adalah sebagaimana berikut:
a) SP1: Shafiq Ahmad Bin Wan Aman (Wakil Majikan)
b) SP2: Dr Ramnan a/l Jeyasingam (Doktor Rehabilitasi)
c) SP3: Lazinda Binti Hassan (Plaintif Kedua-Kakak)
d) SP4: Hassan Bin Saad (Bapa Plaintif Pertama)
e) SP5: Muhammad Amirul Gopal Bin Abdullah (Saksi Bebas)
f) SP6: Mohd Lokman Hamawi bin Mohd (Pegawai Perubatan)
[5] Setelah meneliti secara keseluruhan kes, dokumen-dokumen serta hujahan yang telah difailkan oleh kedua-dua pihak, atas imbangan kebarangkalian, keputusan Mahkamah untuk kuantum (atas dasar 100% liabiliti) adalah sebagaimana berikut:
Ganti rugi Am
• Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (Right Temporal Extradural Haematoma, Left Temporoparietal Subdural Haematoma, Left Temporal Contusion & Right Temporal Bone Fracture) - RM400,
