SINGAPORE - An apprentice carpenter who was set on fire by a colleague can claim compensation from his employer, the High Court ruled on Wednesday, reversing a Labour Court decision.
But the amount of compensation due to Mr Kee Yau Chong, 24, will be assessed by the Labour Court at a later date.
The fiery attack was sparked by a row that erupted when the Malaysian accidentally bumped into Kuu Siau Lam, 65, at their workplace. It happened in June 2011 at SH Interdeco in Senang Crescent in Bedok.
Mr Kee refused to apologise.
Kuu went to the pantry, returned with a metal mug of thinner, splashed it on Mr Kee and set him alight with a lighter.
Mr Kee suffered burns on 28 per cent on his body, including his face, neck, chest and arms. He was hospitalised for 46 days.
In November 2011, Kuu was jailed for four years for causing grievous hurt.
Mr Kee sought workmen compensation from his employer's insurers. But the Labour Court held last July that he was not entitled to a payout under the Work Injury Compensation Act because the incident was neither an accident or work-related.
