Paralysed resident sues town council over walkway mishap

QX179R SG

A LAWSUIT now before the courts is set to become a test case that could define the extent to which a town council is responsible for injuries sustained by residents in the common areas in housing estates.

Sembawang resident Aw Kian Chow was walking back to his flat in Block 415, Sembawang Drive on a wet evening in August 2008 when he took a tumble on a sloping ramp near his block.

He fractured his spine and became paralysed from the neck down.

Now, three years down the road, the 46-year-old father of two young children is still bedridden and cannot speak; he also needs life support equipment, regular hospital care and caregivers to turn him on his bed every three hours to drain out mucus and other fluids.

-- ST

the Bear SG

so.. does it mean that the sloping ramp, made for wheelchair-bound people caused the accident?

or that they should have steps instead?

and if he falls off the steps, the town council is also at fault?

i don't want to be callous about this because this poor sod is paralysed and is now on life support.. but he fell.. every day, loads of people fall...

what next? he's going to sue NEA for the weather as it was wet?

or is he going to sue God?

or is he going to sue the maker of his shoes because he slipped on a wet surface?

sometimes, shit happens... trying to sue someone because shit happens for no reason does nothing but add to the insane diminished reponsibility syndrome of "it's not my fault" which is blighting the world at the moment...

mancha SG

Firstly is the ramp safe? Has it got lichens and is slippery?

Who is responsible for the maintenance, cleanliness, and upkeep?

Did the town council take up public liability insurance?

A smart ass lawyer can try his luck.