Cyclist who has epilepsy from accident awarded $261,000 by court

He now suffers from epilepsy and seizures after being knocked unconscious in a traffic accident back in 2011.

Once, he collapsed at a pedestrian crossing and an ambulance was called.

He also needed reconstructive surgery to repair his fractured skull, among other injuries.

Mr San Lin, 37, had taken the car driver to court and both parties agreed in February to settle the case.

The defendant agreed to bear 80 per cent of all damages payable and Mr San Lin the rest.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered a net payout of $261,000 to Mr San Lin, who was represented by lawyer N. Srinivasan.

The Myanmar national, who used to work here as a marine trades worker, had gone grocery shopping on July 19, 2011, at Boon Lay Place shopping centre with a colleague and was on his way back to his dormitory.

At about 10.20pm, he was cycling across a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Jurong West Avenue 2 and Jurong West Street 23 when the car driven by Mr Shaun Lim U-Kwang hit him.

Mr San Lin was taken unconscious to the National University Hospital, where he was hospitalised for 45 days.

He suffered from multiple fractures on his skull, face and ribs, bleeding in his head, bruises on his lungs and a fractured foot.

In his affidavit, he said he had waited for the traffic light to turn green before cycling across the pedestrian crossing.

DISPUTED

Based on court documents, this was disputed by another cyclist on the opposite side of the road, who said Mr San Lin and his colleague cycled across even though the traffic light was red.

Mr Lim denied he had been negligent. He said he had slowed down and sounded his horn.

The driver was fined $800 for inconsiderate driving while Mr San Lin was given a warning by the Traffic Police.

According to a Land Transport Authority guide on intra-town cycling, cyclists should dismount and push their bikes across pedestrian crossings.

Mr San Lin owes about $50,000 to his previous employer, who paid for the bulk of his medical expenses.

But after returning to Myanmar in April, he has not been able to get a job.

In his latest affidavit, he said that his village is very rural, with a small population and minimal development, with barely any office or corporate opportunities. He said his Primary 4 education will not suffice even if there are openings.

As his persistent headaches worsens under the sun, he cannot do simple farming either.

His frequent epilepsy and seizure attacks - which is life-long and needs daily medication - puts him at risk.

When contacted, Mr San Lin declined to comment.

chaihyn@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Sept 11, 2014.
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