Tan Bee Hock v F G Builders: Negligence Claim for Motorcycle Accident on Metal Plates
In Tan Bee Hock v F G Builders Pte Ltd, the High Court of Singapore heard a negligence claim by Tan Bee Hock against F G Builders Pte Ltd, arising from a motorcycle accident on metal plates placed by the Defendant at the entrance of a construction site. Tan Bee Hock alleged that the Defendant's negligence in the placement and maintenance of the metal plates caused his injuries. The court, presided over by Kannan Ramesh JC, dismissed the Plaintiff's claim, finding that the Defendant did not breach its duty of care and that the accident was a result of the Plaintiff's own conduct.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court of the Republic of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Plaintiff's claim dismissed with costs.
1.3 Case Type
Civil
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Tan Bee Hock sued F G Builders for negligence after a motorcycle accident on metal plates. The court dismissed the claim, finding no breach of duty.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Bee Hock | Plaintiff | Individual | Claim Dismissed | Lost | |
| F G Builders Pte Ltd | Defendant | Corporation | Judgment for Defendant | Won | |
| United Overseas Insurance Ltd | Third Party | Corporation | Neutral | Neutral |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Kannan Ramesh | Judicial Commissioner | Yes |
4. Counsels
4. Facts
- Plaintiff, a serviceman, detoured to visit a show unit at Parc Rosewood.
- Defendant, F G Builders, was the main contractor for the Parc Rosewood development.
- Plaintiff skidded on metal plates placed by the Defendant on Rosewood Drive.
- Plaintiff sustained injuries to his left leg and damage to his motorcycle.
- The metal plates were placed to facilitate ingress and egress of heavy vehicles.
- Plaintiff claimed the plates were warped or unevenly placed.
- Defendant argued Plaintiff was negligent and the Code of Practice did not apply.
5. Formal Citations
- Tan Bee Hock v F G Builders Pte Ltd, Suit No 686 of 2014, [2016] SGHC 37
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff purchased a unit in the Development off the plans. | |
| Plaintiff skidded on metal plates and fell, sustaining injuries. | |
| Defendant applied to the Land Transport Authority for approval to carry out milling and patching work. | |
| Defendant removed the Plates. | |
| Plaintiff emailed the National Environmental Agency to notify them of the accident. | |
| Approval for the said works was granted by the Land Transport Authority. | |
| A police report of the accident was lodged. | |
| Letter of demand from Plaintiff's solicitors to the Defendant. | |
| An injury report was made to the SAF. | |
| SAF report prepared. | |
| Plaintiff underwent surgery at the National University Hospital. | |
| Statement of Claim was filed. | |
| Trial began. | |
| Trial continued. | |
| Trial continued. | |
| Judgment reserved. |
7. Legal Issues
- Negligence
- Outcome: The court found that the Defendant did not breach its duty of care to the Plaintiff.
- Category: Substantive
- Related Cases:
- [2007] 4 SLR(R) 100
- Breach of Statutory Duty
- Outcome: The court found that the Plaintiff is not entitled to sue for breach of statutory duty in reliance upon the Code.
- Category: Substantive
- Nuisance
- Outcome: The Plaintiff’s cause of action in nuisance fails.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Monetary Damages
9. Cause of Actions
- Negligence
- Breach of Statutory Duty
- Nuisance
10. Practice Areas
- Construction Law
- Personal Injury Law
11. Industries
- Construction
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spandeck Engineering (S) Pte Ltd v Defence Science & Technology Agency | Court of Appeal | Yes | [2007] 4 SLR(R) 100 | Singapore | Cited for the elements of the tort of negligence. |
| BNJ (suing by her lawful father and litigation representative, B) v SMRT Trains Ltd and another | N/A | Yes | [2014] 2 SLR 7 | Singapore | Cited for the analysis of breach of standard of care. |
| Walker v Northumberland County Council | N/A | Yes | [1995] ICR 702 | N/A | Cited for the standard of care required for the performance of a duty. |
| Blyth v The Company of Proprietors of the Birmingham Waterworks | N/A | Yes | (1856) 11 Exch 781 | N/A | Cited for the definition of negligence. |
| Browne v Dunn | N/A | Yes | (1893) 6 R 67 | N/A | Cited for the rule of fairness. |
| Hong Leong Singapore Finance Ltd v United Overseas Bank Ltd | N/A | Yes | [2007] 1 SLR(R) 292 | Singapore | Cited for the rule of fairness. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Street Works (Works on Public Streets) Regulations 1995 (Cap 320A, Rg 2, 1995 Rev Ed) | Singapore |
| Street Works Act (Cap 320A) | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Metal Plates
- Negligence
- Duty of Care
- Breach of Duty
- Causation
- Tilt
- V Placement
- Code of Practice
- Rosewood Drive
- Parc Rosewood
15.2 Keywords
- Negligence
- Motorcycle Accident
- Construction Site
- Metal Plates
- Singapore
- High Court
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Negligence | 95 |
| Torts | 75 |
| Personal Injury | 60 |
| Road Safety | 50 |
| Causation | 40 |
| Contributory negligence | 35 |
| Civil Procedure | 30 |
16. Subjects
- Tort Law
- Construction Law
- Negligence