Straits Times 29 October 2007 - Prime Page 3 Director sues woman for allegedly giving him herpes
Plaintiff - Mr Alan Tee, 35 and single, company directory. Represented by Oliver Quek.
Defendant - Ms June Quah, accounts executive, represented by Allen & Gledhill.
Reporter K.C. Vijayan, Law Correspondent, vijayan@sph.com.sg
Claim : general damages over S$300,000 in medical and man-hour costs for failing infecting him and failing "to tell him she had another partner before who would put her at risk of contracting the STD."
I can't tell who is acting more stupid, the plaintiff for filing the lawsuit, or his lawyer for accepting the case.
There's a lot of improvements that can be made to the Singapore judiciary, but I hope this at least is one of those that obviously do not merit extended wrangling and wasting time.
The plaintiff is 35, not 15, nor even 25. He has no excuse not to be aware of the risks, including accepting an unfamiliar acquaintance for her word.
As for being "at risk", I wonder if he has any record of honesty with past partners as well as regular medical check-ups himself to be able to demonstrate what he expected her to do.
Is he just out to shame her? Maybe, for I can see no other objective he could achieve.
Herpes is not 100% curable. Even if he has existing insurance policies, they won't cover him for it.
For that matter, the woman is in a similar position.
No medical insurance for life. Prospects of future employment - in doubt.
Vindictive, I think. But some people are like that. I am not so sure the lawyer is stupid though.
ReplyDeleteHis lawyer probably expects to collect his fee either way, but what kind of reputation will this give him?
ReplyDeleteThe Herpes lawyer? ;-)
ReplyDeleteShows the danger of unprotected sex. That was their first stupidity.
ReplyDelete"Protection" is not 100% anyways.
ReplyDeleteI think the lawyer would have advised him of his chances of success. In real life, it's not about principles but economics and "face"
Sometimes, in commercial cases, the process of bringing the case to court itself is a bargaining tool. The threat of a prolonged court cases even if it's not a strong case often lead to settlement. I've heard of so many instances where months of preparation for trial leads to settlement within the first few days.
In this instance, it is out to shame her - probably at any cost, even to his own reputation. Anger does not allow people to think straight. Who knows who tip the media anyways?
this is sooooo.... American. Yay! Singapore has finally taken its first *wipes tear from eye* baby steps to becoming the 52nd state.
ReplyDeleteHeh.
ReplyDelete52nd State?
ReplyDeleteKeep it up and Singapore will beat Canada, Australia, UK, Taiwan, Japan, and even US's own territories such as Puerto Rico to become the 51st state.
A competent judge should not allow a case without merit to be prolonged. No need for another Jonathan Loke.
ReplyDeletehahaha 51st state already claimed...
ReplyDeleteBy? You got to note that many parties have affairs with Uncle Sam, but no commitment was actually made ...
ReplyDeletewaaa... isn't Iraq the 51st state?
ReplyDeletejust another case of 牛不喝水不按得牛头底... well, look at the bright side..given more of such cases, the advocate office will earn big bucks. Good for the economy.
ReplyDelete