Chan Susan v Lai Tet Chong: Negligence Claim for Bus Accident Dismissed
In Chan Susan v Lai Tet Chong and another, the High Court of Singapore dismissed the plaintiff's negligence claim against the bus driver, Lai Tet Chong, and the bus owner, SBS Transit, on 28 June 2012. The plaintiff, Chan Susan, alleged that the bus driver's actions caused her to fall while attempting to board the bus. The court, after reviewing video evidence, found that the plaintiff slipped and fell while running to catch the bus, and the driver was not negligent nor did his actions cause the plaintiff's injuries. The court dismissed the plaintiff's claim.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Claim dismissed
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
The High Court dismissed Chan Susan's negligence claim against Lai Tet Chong and SBS Transit, finding the bus driver not liable for her fall while attempting to board.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chan Susan | Plaintiff | Individual | Claim Dismissed | Dismissed | |
| Lai Tet Chong | Defendant | Individual | Judgment for Defendant | Won | |
| SBS Transit | Defendant | Corporation | Judgment for Defendant | Won |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | J | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Subbiah Pillai | Cosmas & Co |
| Brown Pereira | Cosmas & Co |
| Anthony Wee | United Legal Alliance LLC |
4. Facts
- The plaintiff fell while trying to catch a bus owned by the second defendant and driven by the first defendant.
- The plaintiff claimed the bus driver shut the door and drove off, causing her to lose balance.
- The defendants argued the bus was already moving, and the plaintiff slipped while running to catch it.
- A video clip showed the plaintiff running towards the bus and slipping before reaching the front door.
- The court found the bus driver did not cause the plaintiff's fall and could not have avoided the injury.
5. Formal Citations
- Chan Susan v Lai Tet Chong and another, Suit No 306 of 2011, [2012] SGHC 139
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff fell while trying to catch a bus | |
| Lawsuit filed | |
| Judgment issued |
7. Legal Issues
- Negligence
- Outcome: The court found that the defendant was not negligent.
- Category: Substantive
- Causation
- Outcome: The court found that the defendant's actions did not cause the plaintiff's injuries.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Monetary Damages
9. Cause of Actions
- Negligence
10. Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Transportation Law
11. Industries
- Transportation
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| No applicable statutes | |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Negligence
- Bus accident
- Causation
- Duty of care
- Video evidence
15.2 Keywords
- negligence
- bus accident
- personal injury
- Singapore
- High Court
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Negligence | 90 |
| Personal Injury | 90 |
| Automobile Accidents | 60 |
16. Subjects
- Personal Injury
- Transportation Accidents