SINIWATI BINTI MUHAMMAD 1. MUHAMMAD FAKRULLAH BIN ZULKIFLI (Seorang bawah umur yang membawa tindakan ini Melalui ibu yang sah serta sahabat wakilnya iaitu Kedua) 2. MELAH BINTI KADIR

SINIWATI BINTI MUHAMMAD 1. MUHAMMAD FAKRULLAH BIN ZULKIFLI (Seorang bawah umur yang membawa tindakan ini Melalui ibu yang sah serta sahabat wakilnya iaitu Kedua) 2. MELAH BINTI KADIR

The High Court refused to disturb the Sessions Court's quantification of future care costs because the Sessions Judge acted within judicial discretion, the award of RM1,050 per month (total RM478,800) was not a wholly erroneous estimate in light of the medical evidence and the appellant failed to discharge the heavy onus required to overturn the quantum.

Citation
DA-12B-51-10/2018 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Parties
Appellant (defendant in Original Suit): Siniwati binti Muhammad; Respondent (plaintiff in Original Suit, Minor Represented by Litigation Guardian): Muhammad Fakrullah bin Zulkifli; Respondent (plaintiff 2 and Litigation Guardian): Melah binti Kadir
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
12 July 2020
Case Number
DA-12B-51-10/2018 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (motor Accident/personal Injury) / Appeal to High Court Against Sessions Court Judgment on Quantum (future Care Costs)
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; Sessions Court award of RM1,050 per month for future care (total RM478,800) upheld
Legal Topics
Quantum of Damages, Future Care Costs, Assessment of Medical Expert Evidence, Domestic Caregiving Awards
Source Language
Malay/English
Tort Personal Injury Motor Accidents Damages Quantum of Damages Future Care Costs Assessment of Medical Expert Evidence Domestic Caregiving Awards

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Parties

Siniwati binti Muhammad

Appellant (defendant in Original Suit)

Muhammad Fakrullah bin Zulkifli

Respondent (plaintiff in Original Suit, Minor Represented by Litigation Guardian)

Melah binti Kadir

Respondent (plaintiff 2 and Litigation Guardian)

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (motor Accident/personal Injury) / Appeal to High Court Against Sessions Court Judgment on Quantum (future Care Costs)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Sessions Court award of RM1,050 per month for future care (total RM478,800) was excessive or a wholly erroneous estimate
  2. 2 Whether the plaintiff requires lifelong domestic caregiving assistance
  3. 3 How to evaluate conflicting medical expert evidence including Barthel index, MMSE and MMI findings

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court refused to disturb the Sessions Court's quantification of future care costs because the Sessions Judge acted within judicial discretion, the award of RM1,050 per month (total RM478,800) was not a wholly erroneous estimate in light of the medical evidence and the appellant failed to discharge the heavy onus required to overturn the quantum.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; Sessions Court award of RM1,050 per month for future care (total RM478,800) upheld

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed
  • Award of future care costs RM1,050 per month for 38 years (total RM478,800) stands