Muhammad Adam Muhammad Lee, 30-years-old was awarded more than $2 million in damages by the High Court on Wednesday (24 November) in a lawsuit filed by his mother and sister against Sean Tay Jia Rong.
He was knocked down by the latter in a traffic accident back in 2015 while walking on a footpath and suffered permanent injuries, as well as becoming mentally incapacitated.
Adam was about to start his engineering diploma course when the accident happened and he tried resuming his studies in 2017 and 2020, but eventually had to drop out because he was unable to cope.
What happened?
Adam was walking along a footpath at Hougang Avenue 2 on 3 April 2015, when he got knocked down by Tay’s vehicle.
The car mounted a kerb outside Hougang Stadium.
Adam suffered multiple fractures in his skull, his brain was bleeding, he had fractures in his face and leg – he spent about 4.5 months in hospital during which he underwent numerous procedures.
$2 million in damages
Tay’s insurers had accepted full liability for the accident but disputed a number of claims by the plaintiffs.
Adam was awarded $1 million for the loss of his future earnings, $216,000 for his traumatic brain injury, $370,800 for a future full-time maid, $10,000 for his loss of marriage prospects, $237,448.03 for medical expenses, $21,739.84 for a caregiver as well as $1,219.55 for the loss of his poly school fees.
Unable to work
Tay’s insurers argued that Adam would be able to take on light jobs but Adams’ family said that he couldn’t work for the rest of his life – he had tried to work at a bubble tea shop but was asked to leave after 3 days on the job because he was deemed too slowing in carrying out his tasks.
Justice Mohan said that Adam had displayed remarkable and commendable tenacity in recovering from his very serious injuries and attempted to return to his old life.
He added that he hopes Adam will not let this accident and its effects, however long-lasting they may be, to define the rest of his life.