Lang Ren Jee Renata v Toh Yih Wei: Assessment of Damages for Whiplash Injury

In a suit between Lang Ren Jee Renata and Toh Yih Wei, the General Division of the High Court of Singapore assessed damages for personal injuries sustained by the plaintiff in a traffic accident on 7 July 2018. The court, presided over by Senior Judge Lai Siu Chiu, awarded the plaintiff damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and physiotherapy, totaling $173,403.69. The defendant's submission that the plaintiff's injuries were pre-existing was disregarded.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

General Division of the High Court

1.2 Outcome

Judgment for Plaintiff

1.3 Case Type

Civil

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Assessment of damages for whiplash injury sustained by Lang Ren Jee Renata in a traffic accident caused by Toh Yih Wei. The court awarded damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and physiotherapy.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Lang Ren Jee Renata Mrs Tay Ren Jee RenataPlaintiffIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWon
Toh Yih WeiDefendantIndividualDamages assessedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lai Siu ChiuSenior JudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Ramasamy s/o Karuppan ChettiarCentral Chambers Law Corporation
Mark Ho En TianCentral Chambers Law Corporation
Fernandez ChristopherTan Kok Quan Partnership
Wu Lennon Leong ChongTan Kok Quan Partnership

4. Facts

  1. The plaintiff sustained whiplash and soft tissue injuries in a traffic accident caused by the defendant.
  2. The defendant admitted 100% liability for the accident.
  3. The plaintiff claimed damages for medical expenses, transport expenses, and pre-trial loss of earnings.
  4. The plaintiff's medical expert recommended ongoing physiotherapy and potential RFA injections.
  5. The defendant's expert agreed that the plaintiff's symptoms were consistent with her injuries.
  6. The plaintiff testified that her injuries caused her pain and discomfort, affecting her ability to teach.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Lang Ren Jee Renata Mrs Tay Ren Jee Renata v Toh Yih Wei, Suit No 1020 of 2020, [2023] SGHC 147

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Traffic accident occurred
Plaintiff began physiotherapy treatment
Lawsuit filed
Interlocutory judgment awarded to plaintiff
Plaintiff underwent injection therapy
Surveillance on plaintiff began
Surveillance on plaintiff ended
Assessment hearing began
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Assessment of Damages
    • Outcome: The court assessed damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other related costs.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Causation
    • Outcome: The court found that the accident caused the plaintiff's injuries, despite a pre-existing condition.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Negligence

10. Practice Areas

  • Personal Injury Litigation

11. Industries

  • Education

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Tan Won Thian v PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Pte LtdHigh CourtYes[2021] 1 SLR 1166SingaporeCited regarding causation in negligence claims.
Salmizan bin Abdullah v Crapper, Ian AnthonyHigh CourtYes[2023] SGHC 75SingaporeCited for the principle that causation cannot be challenged at the assessment of damages stage when interlocutory judgment has been entered on liability.

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

  • Whiplash Injury
  • Radiofrequency Ablation
  • Physiotherapy
  • Assessment of Damages
  • Interlocutory Judgment
  • Causation
  • Pain and Suffering

15.2 Keywords

  • personal injury
  • traffic accident
  • whiplash
  • damages
  • assessment
  • negligence

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Damages Assessment95
Automobile Accidents90
Personal Injury85
Evidence60
Civil Litigation50

16. Subjects

  • Personal Injury
  • Motor Vehicle Accident
  • Damages Assessment