In the heart of Bugis, Singapore, a seemingly ordinary dinner turned into a life-altering nightmare for Najai Benchawan, a Thai performance artist. This tragic incident, involving a hotpot explosion on April 4, 2015, left her with indelible scars and changed the course of her life forever.
The Horrific Incident Unveiled
A Night Out Takes a Fateful Turn
According to Mothership, Benchawan, then 29, met her friend for supper at Chong Qing (Origin) Steamboat, a popular hotpot restaurant, around 4 am that fateful day. Little did she know that her life was about to take a drastic turn.
The Explosive Turning Point
As she was about to finish her meal, an adjacent table’s gas cartridge exploded, showering Benchawan with a scalding torrent of hot soup and debris. Despite instinctively trying to shield herself, the damage was irreversible.
The Aftermath: Pain, Scars, and Suffering
Immediate Response and Hospitalization
In the aftermath, Benchawan rushed to the toilet to ease her burns with cold water before being conveyed to Singapore General Hospital (SGH). The extent of her injuries required immediate surgery, marking the beginning of a painful journey to recovery.
Lifelong Scars and Physical Struggles
Benchawan endured not only first and second-degree burns but also permanent keloids on her right shoulder and left wrist. Her eyes suffered injuries that took months to heal fully. Despite surgical interventions, her scars, prominently visible on her left arm, face, chest, back, right hand, and thigh, became a lasting testament to her harrowing experience.
Seeking Justice: The Legal Battle Unfolds
Lawsuit Against the Culprits
In 2018, Benchawan took legal action, suing both the restaurant and the gas cartridge supplier for a compensation amounting to S$96,000. The legal journey, however, was far from straightforward.
Undervalued Claims and Legal Drama
The legal battle saw twists and turns, with Benchawan originally claiming S$55,000 for pain and suffering. The deputy registrar, however, deemed this undervalued and, after careful consideration, increased the compensation to S$70,000. The insurer, challenging the claims, proposed a shockingly low amount, emphasizing the need for a fair evaluation of the physical and psychological toll.
Assessing the Compensation: Pain, Scars, and Lost Earnings
Awarding Compensation for Injuries
The deputy registrar meticulously assessed Benchawan’s injuries. S$30,000 for facial injuries, S$12,000 for chest scars, and a substantial S$57,000 for scars on her shoulders, arms, hands, and left thigh were deemed fair. Additionally, S$8,500 was granted for her eye injury, considering the excruciating pain she endured during the incident.
Loss of Earning Capacity
Contesting the S$20,000 claim for loss of earning capacity, the insurer faced Benchawan’s account of earning S$1,300 monthly before the incident and a reduced income of S$985 as a tour guide. The deputy registrar acknowledged the uncertainty but approved the claim, understanding the limitations her scars imposed on future employment opportunities.
The Final Verdict: Justice Served
In a culmination of legal battles and medical assessments, Benchawan was awarded a total sum of S$110,489.38. This compensation, while acknowledging the severity of her physical and psychological scars, aims to provide some solace for the pain and suffering she endured.
Conclusion
Najai Benchawan’s journey from a vibrant performance artist to a scarred survivor serves as a poignant reminder of the unexpected turns life can take. The legal battles and the ultimate compensation reveal the importance of acknowledging the full extent of physical and psychological trauma in such cases.
Image for illustration purposes of an explosion