27-7-2023 (SINGAPORE) A passenger who suffered injuries after her taxi was involved in an accident has been awarded damages in a judgment made available on Thursday. The district court ruled in favor of Ms Ng Xin Ni, granting her a total of about S$330,500 in damages.
The accident occurred on December 24, 2011, when Ms Ng was riding in a taxi driven by Mr Seah Meow Meng. As a result of the collision, she was flung forward, leading to back pain. Over the years, her condition worsened, and she began experiencing pain in various parts of her body, including her hip, wrist, ankle, and foot.
In the judgment, the judge acknowledged that Ms Ng had “exaggerated the extent of her injuries by a large degree.” He also pointed out that much of her income loss was due to her own choice to remain unemployed or underemployed.
During the accident, Ms Ng was sitting in the back seat without a seatbelt, exacerbating her injuries. She was taken to Changi General Hospital for treatment, and while her lower back pain initially improved, she later returned with persistent back pain and neck pain, seeking medical attention at Gleneagles Medical Centre.
X-rays revealed no fractures or loss of power in her limbs, but she was diagnosed with whiplash and a prolapsed spinal disc. Despite undergoing physiotherapy and other treatments, her condition did not improve significantly, leading her to seek an operation for her spinal problems in 2019.
However, the court found that many of the injuries Ms Ng claimed to have suffered were not directly caused by the accident, and her reported symptoms were often not supported by clinical examinations. The judge also noted inconsistencies in her employment history and her pursuit of education and certifications despite her claims of being unable to work.
As a result, the magistrate awarded Ms Ng S$99,200 in general damages and S$231,272.45 in special damages. However, her claim for loss of future earnings, amounting to S$248,724, was dismissed due to insufficient evidence establishing a causal link between her injuries and potential salary shortfall.
