SINGAPORE — In a ruling that has raised eyebrows, a district court awarded S$417,000 in damages to the family of Mr Ko Wah, an elderly man who suffered severe brain injuries from a 2019 traffic accident. The court’s decision, made by Deputy Registrar Kim Bum Soo and documented on 1 October 2024, called out NTUC Income for its “wholly unreasonable behaviour” in denying claims associated with the tragic incident.
Details of the Case
At 78 years old, Mr Ko was struck by a van driven by Samikannu Manickavasakar at the basement carpark of an industrial building on 21 June 2019. The accident left him bedridden and mentally incapacitated, necessitating constant care until his death in October 2024.
- Involved Parties:
- Mr Jonathan Ko Wei Ze – Plaintiff and son of Mr Ko
- NTUC Income – Insurer of the defendants
- Samikannu Manickavasakar – Van driver responsible for the accident
- SJ Universe – Building contractor involved
Claims and Court Findings
Jonathan Ko, representing his father’s estate, sought compensation for various damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of amenities
- Medical expenses
- Loss of earnings
Despite clear evidence supporting these claims, NTUC Income objected vehemently, leading to the court’s criticism. The Deputy Registrar noted the insurance provider’s defensiveness—describing its objections as “casually impersonal stonewalling”—and awarded:
- S$210,000 for pain and suffering
- S$8,000 for loss of amenities
- Approximately S$122,900 for medical expenses
NTUC Income’s Contentions
NTUC Income controversially declined to cover several medical and ambulance-related expenses, claiming that some were already covered by Mr Ko’s MediShield Life policy. However, the court found this reasoning to be lacking.
As Deputy Registrar Kim put it, “It boggled the mind why NTUC Income would have taken such an unyielding stance over something so obviously necessary.” Furthermore, objections to Mr Ko’s claims for pain and suffering—based on the assertion that he was comatose during much of his recovery—were dismissed as lacking merit.
A Sentiment of Inadequacy
In his judgment, Deputy Registrar Kim acknowledged that monetary compensation often fails to encapsulate the emotional and physical losses experienced by victims and their families. The awarded damages are described merely as the court’s best approximation of justice. “The truth is, monetary compensation for physical injury almost never feels adequate nor accurate…” he remarked.
This case serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities associated with personal injury claims and the potential struggles families face when dealing with insurance companies after a tragic accident.