Lim Ing Haan v Tuan ‘Abdu Qayyim: Damages Assessment for Loss of Future Earnings Due to Wrist Injury from Traffic Accident

In Lim Ing Haan v Tuan ‘Abdu Qayyim, the High Court of Singapore assessed damages for Ms. Lim's wrist injury sustained in a traffic accident caused by Mr. Tuan. Ms. Lim, an interventional cardiologist, claimed for loss of future earnings due to an anticipated surgery. The court awarded Ms. Lim general and special damages, including $2,494,366.85 for loss of future earnings.

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 Lim Ing Haan's wrist injury from a traffic accident, focusing on loss of future earnings due to surgery. Judgment for Plaintiff.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Lim Ing HaanPlaintiffIndividualJudgment for PlaintiffWon
Tuan ‘Abdu Qayyim bin Tuan IsaDefendantIndividualDamages assessed against DefendantLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
See Kee OonJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Joseph LopezJoseph Lopez LLP
Mubin ShahJoseph Lopez LLP
Pearline ChiaJoseph Lopez LLP
Lim Hui YingLegal Solutions LLC
Patrick YeoLegal Solutions LLC
Joyce OoiLegal Solutions LLC

4. Facts

  1. Ms. Lim, an interventional cardiologist, sustained wrist injuries in a traffic accident caused by Mr. Tuan.
  2. Interlocutory judgment was entered against Mr. Tuan with damages to be assessed.
  3. Ms. Lim will require surgery on her wrist within the next five years.
  4. Medical experts agreed that surgery would limit Ms. Lim's wrist function.
  5. Ms. Lim sought damages for loss of future earnings due to the anticipated surgery.
  6. The court found that Ms. Lim's working capacity would be reduced by 25% after surgery.
  7. The court rejected the defendant's argument that Ms. Lim suffered no loss of future earnings.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Lim Ing Haan v Tuan ‘Abdu Qayyim bin Tuan Isa, Suit No 383 of 2020, [2024] SGHC 86

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Traffic accident occurred
Ms. Lim underwent surgery on her right wrist
Action commenced
Interlocutory judgment entered against Mr. Tuan
Trial began
Trial continued
Trial continued
Trial continued
Trial continued
Judgment reserved
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Loss of Future Earnings
    • Outcome: The court awarded damages for loss of future earnings, considering the impact of the anticipated surgery on the plaintiff's working capacity.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Monetary Damages
  2. General Damages
  3. Special Damages

9. Cause of Actions

  • Negligence

10. Practice Areas

  • Civil Litigation
  • Medical Negligence

11. Industries

  • Healthcare

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Wee Lai Soon (alias Hoi Lai Soon) and another v Ong Jian MinHigh CourtYes[2022] SGHC 102SingaporeCited for the interest rate applicable to general damages.
Teo Sing Keng and another v Sim Ban KiatCourt of AppealYes[1994] 1 SLR(R) 340SingaporeCited for the principle that no interest is awarded for cost of future medical expenses and loss of future earnings.
Tan Hun Boon v Rui Feng Travel Pte Ltd and anotherHigh CourtYes[2018] 3 SLR 244SingaporeCited for the principle that no interest is awarded for cost of future medical expenses and loss of future earnings.
Muhammad Adam bin Muhammad Lee (suing by his litigation representatives Noraini bte Tabiin and Nurul Ashikin bte Muhammad Lee) v Tay Jia Rong SeanHigh CourtYes[2022] 4 SLR 1045SingaporeCited for the principle that no interest is awarded for cost of future medical expenses and loss of future earnings.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
Order 37 Rule 8 of the Rules of Court (Cap 322, 2014 Rev Ed)

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
No applicable statutes

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Interventional Cardiologist
  • Wrist Injury
  • Loss of Future Earnings
  • Damages Assessment
  • Partial Wrist Fusion
  • Medical Experts
  • Working Capacity
  • Traffic Accident

15.2 Keywords

  • traffic accident
  • wrist injury
  • loss of earnings
  • cardiologist
  • damages
  • singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Damages Assessment90
Assessment of Damages90
Personal Injury90
Loss of future earnings80
Automobile Accidents70
Traffic Accident60
Civil Litigation60
Expert evidence50
Causation50
Civil Procedure30

16. Subjects

  • Personal Injury
  • Damages
  • Medical Law