TAN CHWEE KEAT DAN WONG YEAN CHIN MENDAKWA SEBAGAI IBUBAPA YANG SAH DAN TANGGUNGAN KEPADA TAN ZE CHUAN, SIMATI UNTUK DIRINYA DAN JUGA MEWAKILI SEMUA ORANG TANGGUNGAN, SIMATI 1. TAN CHOW WEI 2. TAN SEE YEEN

TAN CHWEE KEAT DAN WONG YEAN CHIN MENDAKWA SEBAGAI IBUBAPA YANG SAH DAN TANGGUNGAN KEPADA TAN ZE CHUAN, SIMATI UNTUK DIRINYA DAN JUGA MEWAKILI SEMUA ORANG TANGGUNGAN, SIMATI 1. TAN CHOW WEI 2. TAN SEE YEEN

The High Court held the trial judge erred in law by rejecting unchallenged sworn oral evidence (SP4 and SP5) without justification; on the balance of probabilities the deceased earned RM3,742 per month and could and did contribute RM1,000 per month to the plaintiffs for household expenses; accordingly the loss of dependency award was increased from RM600 to RM1,000 per month.

Citation
KA-12BNCV-33-11/2019 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Parties
Plaintiff/appellant: Tan Chwee Keat; Plaintiff/appellant: Wong Yean Chin; Defendant/respondent: Tan Chow Wei; Defendant/respondent: Tan See Yeen
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Malaysia
Judgment Date
17 November 2020
Case Number
KA-12BNCV-33-11/2019 (Mahkamah Tinggi)
Procedural Posture
Civil (motor Accident Wrongful Death) / Appeal on Quantum of Damages
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; trial court finding on quantum set aside and varied.
Legal Topics
Wrongful Death, Loss of Dependency, Quantum of Damages, Credibility Assessment, Admissibility and Weight of Oral Evidence
Source Language
Malay/English
Tort Evidence Civil Procedure Family Law (dependency) Wrongful Death Loss of Dependency Quantum of Damages Credibility Assessment +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Tan Chwee Keat

Plaintiff/appellant

Wong Yean Chin

Plaintiff/appellant

Tan Chow Wei

Defendant/respondent

Tan See Yeen

Defendant/respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil (motor Accident Wrongful Death) / Appeal on Quantum of Damages

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred in rejecting unchallenged oral evidence about the deceased's part‑time employment and financial contributions
  2. 2 Whether the deceased's monthly contribution to dependants should be treated as maintenance (loss of dependency) or mere gratuity
  3. 3 Whether appellate court should interfere with trial court's assessment of quantum

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court held the trial judge erred in law by rejecting unchallenged sworn oral evidence (SP4 and SP5) without justification; on the balance of probabilities the deceased earned RM3,742 per month and could and did contribute RM1,000 per month to the plaintiffs for household expenses; accordingly the loss of dependency award was increased from RM600 to RM1,000 per month.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; trial court finding on quantum set aside and varied.

Orders

  • Set aside the trial court award of RM600.00 per month for loss of dependency
  • Award increased to RM1,000.00 per month for loss of dependency