Alam Jahangir v Mega Metal Pte Ltd: Assessment of Damages for Workplace Injury

In Alam Jahangir v Mega Metal Pte Ltd, the Singapore High Court assessed damages for Alam Jahangir, a metal worker injured at Mega Metal Pte Ltd. The court considered claims for pain and suffering, future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and pre-trial loss of earnings. The court awarded a total of $164,765.87 to the plaintiff, accounting for 50% contributory negligence. The court ordered the defendant to pay the plaintiff the sum of $81,593.11 after setting off medical expenses.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court of Singapore

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Plaintiff

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Singapore High Court assesses damages for Alam Jahangir, a metal worker injured at Mega Metal Pte Ltd, considering pain, suffering, and lost earnings.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Alam JahangirPlaintiff, Defendant in CounterclaimIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWon
Mega Metal Pte LtdDefendant, Plaintiff in CounterclaimCorporationJudgment against DefendantLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Namasivayam SrinivasanHoh Law Corporation
Ramasamy s/o Karuppan ChettiarCentral Chambers Law Corporation
Simone B ChettiarCentral Chambers Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. Plaintiff was employed by the defendant as a metal melter, caster and rolling mill operator.
  2. On 2016-05-16, the plaintiff's arm was caught in a machine at work.
  3. The plaintiff sustained a crush injury to his right arm, including a near amputation.
  4. The plaintiff underwent an arm reattachment procedure and wrist fusion surgery.
  5. The court found the defendant breached its duty of care by not having sufficient fencing.
  6. The plaintiff was found to be 50% contributory negligent.
  7. The plaintiff returned to Bangladesh on 2017-01-01 and became a chicken farmer.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Alam Jahangir v Mega Metal Pte Ltd, Suit No 388 of 2017, [2019] SGHC 148

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Plaintiff injured at work
Plaintiff returned to Bangladesh
Assessment of damages hearing began
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Assessment of Damages for Personal Injury
    • Outcome: The court assessed damages for pain and suffering, future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and pre-trial loss of earnings.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Contributory Negligence
    • Outcome: The court found the plaintiff 50% contributory negligent, reducing the total damages awarded.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Loss of Earning Capacity
    • Outcome: The court awarded damages for loss of future earning capacity, considering the plaintiff's inability to continue his pre-accident vocation.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Negligence
  • Breach of Duty of Care

10. Practice Areas

  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Civil Litigation

11. Industries

  • Manufacturing

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Alam Jahangir v Mega Metal Pte LtdHigh CourtYes[2018] SGHC 198SingaporeSets out the background facts of the case.
Lua Bee Kiang (administrator of the estate of Chew Kong Seng, deceased) v Yeo Chee SiongHigh CourtYes[2019] 1 SLR 145SingaporeCited for the principle that the court can account for the loss arising from each distinct injury, so long as the overall award is proportionate to the injury suffered.
Ang Siam Hua v Teo Cheng HoeHigh CourtYes[2004] SGHC 147SingaporeCited as a reference for damages awarded for fracture of the humerus.
Tan Shwu Leng v Singapore AirlinesCourt of AppealYes[2001] SGCA 70SingaporeCited as a reference for damages awarded for fracture of the humerus.
Chiam Kim Loke v Lee Wing Hoong & AnorHigh CourtYes[2004] SGHC 37SingaporeCited as a reference for damages awarded for multiple scars.
Mykytowych, Pamela Jane v V I P HotelCourt of AppealYes[2016] 4 SLR 829SingaporeCited for the test to be applied in determining whether to make any award for loss of future earning capacity.

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

  • Metal melter
  • Caster
  • Rolling mill operator
  • Crush injury
  • Degloving
  • Amputation
  • Contributory negligence
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pre-trial loss of earnings

15.2 Keywords

  • personal injury
  • workplace accident
  • damages
  • negligence
  • Singapore
  • metal industry

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Damages Assessment95
Personal Injury90
Negligence90
Loss of Earning Capacity85
Work Injury Compensation80
Contributory negligence70
Medical Expenses60
Civil Procedure50
Evidence Law40
Contract Law30

16. Subjects

  • Personal Injury
  • Workplace Safety
  • Damages Assessment