Woman Injured by Broken Drain Cover; Second Instance Court Orders Sanchong District Office to Pay 1.38 Million NTD

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 26. A woman surnamed Yu, in her 70s, fell and was injured while walking on Liuzhang Street in Sanchong District, New Taipei City, at the end of 2021 after stepping on a broken drain cover. She filed for state compensation. The first instance court ordered the Sanchong District Office to pay over 3.15 million NTD, but the second instance court today revised the ruling to 1.38 million NTD. Yu may appeal. Yu claimed that on December 11, 2021, she fell forward after stepping into a broken drain cover, resulting in head trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, thoracic spine fractures, and broken teeth. She sought 4.92 million NTD in compensation. The Sanchong District Office argued that the drain cover was flat and safe, and that it was regularly maintained. However, the High Court examined photos of the drain cover before and after repairs, concluding that there was significant damage and a hole at the time of the accident, and that the District Office failed in its management duties. Regarding the claim for lifetime nursing care, the court found that recovery was possible within three months post-surgery, thus limiting nursing expenses to 160,000 NTD. The court ordered the District Office to pay a total of 1.38 million NTD, including medical expenses, nursing costs, and mental distress compensation.