Wang Jianbin v Hong De Development: Personal Injury Claim for Workplace Accident

In Wang Jianbin v Hong De Development Pte Ltd and Chiu Teng Construction Co Pte Ltd, the High Court of Singapore heard an appeal by Wang Jianbin, who sued his employers and the main contractors for damages sustained from a workplace injury. The court, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, partially allowed the appeal, awarding damages for pre-trial loss of earnings, but dismissed the remaining claims. The court's decision was based on the plaintiff's proven unfitness for work during the specified period.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeal allowed in part.

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

High Court case where Wang Jianbin sued for injuries sustained at work. The court partially allowed his appeal, awarding damages for pre-trial loss of earnings.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Chiu Teng Construction Co Pte LtdDefendant, RespondentCorporationPartial LossPartial
Wang JianbinPlaintiff, AppellantIndividualAppeal allowed in partPartial
Hong De Development Pte LtdDefendant, RespondentCorporationPartial LossPartial

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Ramesh AppooJust Law LLC
Eric Liew Hwee TongGabriel Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff was injured by a metal pipe during work on 8 July 2011.
  2. The plaintiff sued his employers and the main contractors for damages.
  3. The parties agreed on 80% liability against the defendants and 20% contributory liability by the plaintiff.
  4. The plaintiff's work permit expired on 5 September 2011.
  5. The plaintiff returned to China on 19 July 2012.
  6. The plaintiff claimed pre-trial loss of earnings, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and loss of future earnings.
  7. The defendants offered to settle the case for $50,000, but the plaintiff rejected the offer.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Wang Jianbin v Hong De Development Pte Ltd and another, Suit No 613 of 2013 (HC/Registrar's Appeal No 229 of 2015), [2015] SGHC 242

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Plaintiff injured by a metal pipe at work.
Plaintiff's work permit expired.
Plaintiff returned to China.
Lawsuit filed
Offer to settle filed.
Assessment hearing.
Assistant Registrar's decision.
Date of appeal.
Judgment reserved.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Pre-trial Loss of Earnings
    • Outcome: The court awarded damages for pre-trial loss of earnings up to the date of repatriation.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2009] SGHC 21
  2. Loss of Future Earnings
    • Outcome: The court dismissed the claim for loss of future earnings due to insufficient evidence of permanent disability and loss of earnings.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Admissibility of Fresh Evidence on Appeal
    • Outcome: The court declined to admit fresh evidence at the appellate stage, citing a failure to meet the conditions for admissibility.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Related Cases:
      • [2004] 2 SLR(R) 392
      • [1954] 1 WLR 1489

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Negligence
  • Personal Injury

10. Practice Areas

  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Workplace Injury Claims

11. Industries

  • Construction

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Liu Haixiang v China Construction (South Pacific) Development Co Pte LtdHigh CourtYes[2009] SGHC 21SingaporeCited for the principle regarding pre-trial loss of income from the expiry of the claimant’s work permit to the date of his repatriation.
Lassiter Ann Masters v To Keng LamCourt of AppealYes[2004] 2 SLR(R) 392SingaporeCited for the test regarding the admission of fresh evidence at the appellate stage.
Ladd v MarshallN/AYes[1954] 1 WLR 1489N/ACited for the test regarding the admission of fresh evidence at the appellate stage.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
No applicable statutes

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Pre-trial loss of earnings
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Permanent disability
  • Medical expenses
  • Offer to settle
  • Indemnity costs
  • Medical leave
  • Repatriation

15.2 Keywords

  • personal injury
  • workplace accident
  • loss of earnings
  • Singapore
  • High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Work Injury Compensation90
Personal Injury85
Assessment of Damages75
Measure of Damages70
Civil Procedure60
Evidence50
Offer to Settle40

16. Subjects

  • Personal Injury
  • Employment
  • Civil Litigation