DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh is one happy man, for he was awarded RM2.018 million in damages by a sessions court in Penang today over the 2005 accident that left him wheelchair-bound.

Judge Chan Jit Li awarded him general damages at RM380,000 and stated other damages as:

  • Hospitalisation fees - RM399,162.37
  • Chairlift - RM104,200
  • Medical supplies - RM12,998.06
  • Nursing care fee for three nurses - RM135,808
  • Future nursing care for up to 84 months - RM212,800
  • Wheelchair - RM40,170
  • Vehicle - RM276,141.52
  • Future medication - RM378,000
  • Travel - RM11,951.98
  • Future surgery - RM66,666.

Reading out her judgment, Chan said the decision was difficult to make as she did not want to “under- or over-compensate” Karpal, one of the country’s top legal eagles, in this case.

karpal singh hospitalized 180205 friends “The decision may not be satisfactory to both parties, but my conscience is very clear,” she added.

She said that Karpal’s quality of life had been severely compromised after his accident, yet he had continued to live an active lifestyle, with his mental faculties intact.

Karpal, who is Bukit Gelugor MP, met with the accident on Jan 29, 2005, when he was sitting in the rear left seat of a private limousine driven by Soid Abd Ghani from the Bayan Lepas International Airport.

Karpal suffered severe spinal cord injury

Another vehicle driven by one of the defendants, Lau Yee Fuat, was heading towards Karpal’s residence in Jalan Utama when the car collided into the limousine from behind.

NONE Karpal ( in wheelchair ) suffered severe spinal cord injury, fracture at the C3/C4 invertebral disc, inability to walk or stand and severe pain secondary to spasms, among other injuries.

The damages are to be paid by the defendants, Lau and the limousine company.

After the session, Chan gave Karpal a light hug, out of respect for the well-known lawyer.

Karpal said he was happy with the judgment, that it was fair and he accepted it.

“I’m happy that the judgment is good and fair,” he said.

Karpal was represented by his son Jagdeep Singh Deo, while Lau, who was not present in court today, was represented by Bala Mahesan.

Karpal’s wife Gurmit Kaur, who was also present, was overcome by emotion. She told reporters that she was “thankful to God as the accident could have been worse”.

“God has been good to Karpal. He has been struggling with the pain, but we are taking it one day at a time,” she said.

“Our family and friends and hospital staff have been very supportive of Karpal.

“He is using mind-over-matter in getting work done, and he has not slowed down,” Gurmit added.