1. ) DZULKRINAIN BIN YUSOH 2. ) Zaiton Binti Othman (mendakwa sebagai ibu dan bapa yang sah dan sebagai tanggungan kepada MUHAMAD ABU DUJANAH BIN DZULKRINAIN, simati) 3. ) XXXX 1. ) RAHMAT BIN MOHD ALI 2. ) SERI MERDU SDN BHD

1. ) DZULKRINAIN BIN YUSOH 2. ) Zaiton Binti Othman (mendakwa sebagai ibu dan bapa yang sah dan sebagai tanggungan kepada MUHAMAD ABU DUJANAH BIN DZULKRINAIN, simati) 3. ) XXXX 1. ) RAHMAT BIN MOHD ALI 2. ) SERI MERDU SDN BHD

The High Court allowed the plaintiff-child’s appeal: an innocent passenger is entitled to recover on a 100% basis from the defendants despite the Sessions Court’s overall apportionment (driver 90%): the Sessions Court’s allowance of defendants’ counterclaim/tolakan against the dependants was set aside because contribution must be sought against the deceased driver’s estate or joint tortfeasor; the Sessions Court’s factual findings and quantum awards for dependency (RM96,000) and future nursing care (RM486,000) were not disturbed.

Citation
JB-12BNCC-3-07/2023 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Parties
Plaintiff / Appellant (father & Next Friend): Dzulkrinain bin Yusoff; Plaintiff / Appellant (mother): Zaiton binti Othman; Plaintiff / Appellant (child, Through Next Friend): Nur Ghaziyah Athirah binti Muhamad Abu Dujanah; Defendant / Appellant: Rahmat bin Mohd Ali; Defendant / Appellant (registered Owner): Seri Merdu Sdn Bhd
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
24 September 2024
Case Number
JB-12BNCC-3-07/2023 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal Arising From Road Traffic Accident (personal Injury and Fatal Dependency Claims) / Judgment on Appeals (high Court Hearing of Concurrent Appeals From Sessions Court Decision)
Outcome
Mixed: Plaintiffs’ appeal (Rayuan No.3) allowed in part (Plaintiff 3 entitled to 100% against defendants); Defendants’ appeals (Rayuan No.12) on liability and quantum dismissed; Sessions Court order allowing defendants’ counterclaim/tolakan against plaintiffs set aside.
Legal Topics
Apportionment of Liability, Innocent Passenger Principle, Dependants' Claims Under S7 CLA, Contribution and Counterclaim Under S10 CLA, Assessment of Future Care Costs, Pleading and Surprise Evidence, Expert Evidence Admissibility
Source Language
Malay/English
Tort Road Traffic Law Civil Procedure Damages Personal Injury Law Apportionment of Liability Innocent Passenger Principle Dependants' Claims Under S7 CLA +4 more

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Parties

Dzulkrinain bin Yusoff

Plaintiff / Appellant (father & Next Friend)

Zaiton binti Othman

Plaintiff / Appellant (mother)

Nur Ghaziyah Athirah binti Muhamad Abu Dujanah

Plaintiff / Appellant (child, Through Next Friend)

Rahmat bin Mohd Ali

Defendant / Appellant

Seri Merdu Sdn Bhd

Defendant / Appellant (registered Owner)

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal Arising From Road Traffic Accident (personal Injury and Fatal Dependency Claims) / Judgment on Appeals (high Court Hearing of Concurrent Appeals From Sessions Court Decision)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a passenger (pillion/vehicle passenger) innocent of fault is entitled to recover on a 100% basis despite driver being apportioned liability
  2. 2 Whether the Sessions Court rightly apportioned liability 90% to plaintiffs/driver estate and 10% to defendants and whether that apportionment applies to the innocent passenger claimant
  3. 3 Whether defendants were entitled to tolakan/counterclaim/contribution against the dependants rather than the deceased driver’s estate

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court allowed the plaintiff-child’s appeal: an innocent passenger is entitled to recover on a 100% basis from the defendants despite the Sessions Court’s overall apportionment (driver 90%): the Sessions Court’s allowance of defendants’ counterclaim/tolakan against the dependants was set aside because contribution must be sought against the deceased driver’s estate or joint tortfeasor; the Sessions Court’s factual findings and quantum awards for dependency (RM96,000) and future nursing care (RM486,000) were not disturbed.

Court Disposition

Mixed: Plaintiffs’ appeal (Rayuan No.3) allowed in part (Plaintiff 3 entitled to 100% against defendants); Defendants’ appeals (Rayuan No.12) on liability and quantum dismissed; Sessions Court order allowing defendants’ counterclaim/tolakan against plaintiffs set aside.

Orders

  • Plaintiff 3 (Nur Ghaziyah Athirah) is entitled to recover 100% of her awarded quantum from the Defendants; judgment for Plaintiff 3 against Defendants maintained with liability fixed at 100%
  • Defendants’ appeal on liability (Rayuan No.12) dismissed with costs