Ang Yew Meng & Anor v Dr. Sashikannan Al Ar 2011 HC

8/13/2019 Ang Yew Meng & Anor v Dr. Sashikannan Al Ar 2011 HC

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Malayan Law Journal Unreported/2011/Volume /Ang Yew Meng & Anor v Dr. a!"#$annan a/lAruna!alam & %r!. '2011( MLJU )0) 2* Mar+" 2011

'2011( MLJU )0)

Ang Yew Meng & Anor v Dr. Sashikannan a/l Arunasalam & Ors.

HIGH COUR !"OHOR #AHRU$Su%ang ian' "CGUAMA( SI)I (O **+,--+** Mar0h *11

TS Chang (Henry Soon & Chang),

RK Menon (Messrs RK Menon & Co),

S Subayogan (Suba & Co)

Su%ang ian' "C

GROU(DS O2 D3CISIO(

he 4o0umen5ar6 3vi4en0e an4 37hi8i5s

91: ,or t"e !a$e o- +lar#ty w#ll -#r!t #ntrodu+e t"e do+umentary ev#den+e and e"##t! tendered."e Agreed 3undle o- Do+ument! are a! -ollow! 4

516 3undle 3 4 do+ument! t"ere#n agreed on aut"ent#+#ty and +ontent 5Part A6

526 3undle 7 4 do+ument! t"ere#n agreed on aut"ent#+#ty 5Part 36

5*6 3undle D do+ument! t"ere#n to e -ormally proved 5Part 76

586 9"##t P.1 4 do+ument at page 1 o- 3undle D ut agreed at t"e tr#al

5)6 9"##t P.1 5a64 do+ument at page 2 o- 3undle D ut agreed at

5:6 9"##t! D.1 D.2 and D.* do+ument! agreed at t"e tr#al

5;6 9"##t D.8 do+ument! agreed at t"e tr#al

5wee >"#m are "u!andand w#-e. "ey "ad !everal +"#ldren one o- w"#+" wa! a !on y t"e name o- A"g ?ee #ang. %nt"e even#ng o- De+emer 1 2001 at aout ).00 p.m. Madam #a" !"owed up at t"e Pol#$l#n#$ a@28 Jam 5t"e +l#n#+6 lo+ated at Bo. 2; Jalan r# Per$a!a 2/1 aman ampo# Utama #n Jo"or3a"ru. "e wa! #n a !tate o- pan#+ d#!tre!! and ag#tat#on. At t"at t#me Dr. a!"#$annan

Aruna!alam t"e 1!t de-endant wa! #n t"e +l#n#+. =e wa! alone. Madam #a" told "#m t"at "er!on wa! #n "er +ar par$ed out!#de w#t" "#g" -ever and !"e a!$ed "#m -or "elp. =e told "er t"at t"edo+tor wa! out. "e nevert"ele!! #n!#!ted t"at "e "elped. =e went over to t"e +ar and -ound a


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young oy ly#ng !up#ne on t"e rear !eat !eem#ngly un+on!+#ou! and w#t" a "#g" temperature. "eoy "ad no +ontrol o- "#! l#m!. "e 1!t de-endant real#Ced at on+e t"at "#! +ond#t#on wa! !er#ou!and l#-e t"reaten#ng. =e a!$ed t"e mot"er to ta$e "#m to t"e "o!p#tal ut !"e entreated "#m toeam#ne and treat t"e oy. =e relented. =e !a#d "e +ould not turn "er away e+au!e #t wa! an

emergen+y and w#t" t"e $nowledge t"at "e "ad "e t"oug"t "e !"ould render a!!#!tan+e t"atm#g"t "elp. "ereupon "e +arr#ed t"e +"#ld #nto t"e +l#n#+ and pla+ed "#m on t"e eam#nat#on ed.A! "e wa! +arry#ng t"e oy "e tr#ed to get t"e "#!tory o- t"e #llne!! -rom t"e mot"er. =owevert"ere wa! a language arr#er a! !"e +ould not under!tand "#m and at t"e !ame t#me !"e wa!up!et -r#g"tened and !l#g"tly #n+o"erent. %t"er t"an t"e +"#ld! name and age "e +ould not getany u!e-ul #n-ormat#on -rom "er on t"e +ond#t#on o- t"e +"#ld.

9: "e 1!t de-endant too$ t"e +"#ld! temperature and -ound #t to e 807. =e d#d not ta$e t"e+"#ld! lood pre!!ure e+au!e "e t"oug"t t"ere wa! no paed#atr#+ +u-- #n t"e +l#n#+. Dr. MurugaEa@ t"e 2nd de-endant and t"e do+tor #n +"arge at t"e +l#n#+ wa! later to te!t#-y t"at t"epaed#atr#+ +u-- wa! on t"e do+tor! tale w"#+" t"e 1!t de-endant "ad no a++e!! to. ee#ng t"e!er#ou! +ond#t#on o- t"e +"#ld t"e 1!t de-endant t"oug"t #t e!t -or t"e mot"er to ru!" "#m to a"o!p#tal a! t"e +l#n#+ "ad l#m#ted -a+#l#t#e! to treat a pat#ent #n t"at +ond#t#on. "e mot"er "owever#mplored "#m to treat t"e +"#ld. =e !tarted +old water !pong#ng to try to r#ng down t"e

temperature. "at d#d not wor$. =e t"ere-ore de+#ded to u!e D#+lo-ena+ od#um al!o $nown a!Voltaren. 3e-ore "e adm#n#!tered #t "e a!$ed t"e mot"er -or any "#!tory o- allerg#+ rea+t#on to t"edrug. "e wa! !t#ll +on-u!ed and #n+o"erent. 3e#ng unale to -#nd any D#+lo-ena+ od#um!uppo!#tor#e! t"e 1!t de-endant adm#n#!tered 1.)ml o- D#+lo-ena+ od#um #n !olut#on v#de#n@e+t#on #ntramu!+ularly. "e 2nd pla#nt#-- +la#med at t"e tr#al t"at !"e d#d not +on!ent to t"e#n@e+t#on e#ng g#ven to t"e +"#ld. "#! #! e+au!e -rom "er eper#en+e t"e re+tal !uppo!#tory #!normally u!ed to r#ng down "#g" -ever #n +"#ldren and not y #n@e+t#on. d#d not el#eve "er w"en!"e !a#d t"at !"e "ad o@e+ted to t"e #n@e+t#on. n t"e -#r!t pla+e a! !"e +on+eded #n +ourt !"ewa! de!perate -or t"e 1!t de-endant to treat t"e +"#ld. dout very mu+" !"e wa! #n t"e -rame o-m#nd to o@e+t to t"e treatment g#ven. ,urt"ermore no !u+" o@e+t#on wa! ever !tated e#t"er #nt"e +ontemporaneou! pol#+e report 5716 o- t"e 1!t pla#nt#-- lodged on t"e day o- t"e #n+#dent or #n"#! !e+ond pol#+e report 57*6 lodged on 11.10.2002. "#! #! even t"oug" t"e -a+t o- an #n@e+t#one#ng g#ven #! !tated #n ot" report!. A! well t"e pla#nt#--! #n t"e#r tatement o- 7la#m 5%76 -#led

on


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too$ #n +ourt "en+e y v#rtue o- !e+t#on *1 o- t"e 9v#den+e A+t 1G)0 t"#! !pe+#-#+ adm#!!#on #n"#! tatement o- De-en+e operate! a! an e!toppel aga#n!t "#m.

9-:Alt"oug" de+l#n#ng to !end t"em to t"e "o!p#tal t"e 1!t de-endant "elped to +arry t"e +"#lda+$ to t"e +ar and pla+ed "#m #n t"e a+$ !eat. "e +"#ld wa! !t#ll un+on!+#ou!. A++ord#ng to t"e

1!t de-endant t"e +"#ld wa! at t"e +l#n#+ -or appro#mately 10 m#nute!. "e pla#nt#--! on t"e ot"er"and a!!erted t"at t"e +"#ld wa! at t"e +l#n#+ -or "alan "our or !l#g"tly more. w#ll !ay more ont"#!.

9


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at t"e "o!p#tal. All ) +"#ldren were eventually d#agno!ed w#t" typ"o#d and "o!p#tal#Ced -orappro#mately ) day!. "e age o- t"e +"#ldren ranged -rom * to 10 year!. "ey re!ponded well totreatment re+overed and were d#!+"arged.

911: "#! r#ng! u! to "ow t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- and t"e +"#ld "ad ended up at t"e +l#n#+ t"at day. 3ot"

pla#nt#--! te!t#-#ed t"at t"e de+ea!ed w"o wa! < year! go#ng on G wa! well on t"e morn#ng o-De+emer 1 2001 "av#ng een on t"e +omputer a-ter wa$#ng up. "e 2nd pla#nt#-- under +ro!!eam#nat#on let on t"at at noon t"e de+ea!ed !u--ered -rom g#dd#ne!! "ad "eada+"e and "#g"-ever and wa! vom#t#ng. "e gave "#m +"ry!ant"emum tea. "e 1!t pla#nt#-- +ame a+$ -rom wor$at *.00 p.m. and "e too o!erved t"at t"e de+ea!ed wa! wea$ and "#! ody warm. =e le-t to go

@ogg#ng !"ortly a-ter ut e-ore "e went "e told "#! w#-e to r#ng t"e +"#ld to !ee a do+tor to avo#dt"e #n-e+t#on !pread#ng to t"e ot"er +"#ldren. Bonet"ele!! "e +la#med #t wa! @u!t normalH -ever."e 2nd pla#nt#-- "owever d#d not !end t"e +"#ld #mmed#ately to t"e "o!p#tal ut wa#ted unt#l a!de!+r#ed aove !"e turned up at t"e +l#n#+ w#t" t"e +"#ld at aout ).00 p.m. 3y t"at t#me t"e+"#ld "ad e+ome un+on!+#ou! and runn#ng a "#g" temperature o- 807.

91*: omet"#ng al!o need! to e !a#d a! to "ow #t wa! t"at t"e 1!t de-endant wa! alone at t"e+l#n#+ t"at day. n De+emer o- 2001 "e wa! undergo#ng #ntern!"#p at t"e ultana" Am#na"=o!p#tal Jo"or 3a"ru a! well a! do#ng an atta+"ment w#t" t"e 2nd de-endant at t"e +l#n#+. Undert"e atta+"ment t"e 1!t de-endant wa! pa#d an allowan+e o- EM80% EM8)0 a mont" on a prorated a!#! depend#ng on "ow many day! "e attended. =e d#d not "ave aut"or#ty to treat anypat#ent and wa! only pre!ent -or learn#ng purpo!e! w"en t"e 2nd de-endant or anot"er reg#!tereddo+tor o- t"e +l#n#+ wa! !ee#ng a pat#ent. =e wa! alone -or a r#e- per#od at t"e +l#n#+ t"at daye+au!e t"e 2nd de-endant w"o wa! on duty "ad gone out -or a tea rea$. "e nur!e "ad al!ogone out -or tea rea$. "e 2nd de-endant "ad adv#!ed t"e 1!t de-endant not to treat any oneand "e wa! to #n-orm any pat#ent t"at +ame t"at t"e do+tor wa! out. o #t wa! t"at w"en t"e 2ndde-endant wal$ed #nto t"e +l#n#+ at aout ).00 p.m. !"e -ound only t"e 1!t de-endant t"ere. "e1!t de-endant "ad pa!!ed "#! -#nal M3 eam#nat#on! #n Bovemer/De+emer o- 2000+ondu+ted y t"e Man#pal A+ademy o- =#g"er 9du+at#on nd#a and wa! +on-erred t"e degree o-M33 y t"e !ame un#ver!#ty on 20.2.2002. %n 2;.2.2001 "e wa! prov#!#onally reg#!tered under!e+t#on 125165a65#6 and 5##6 o- t"e Malay!#an Med#+al A+t 1G;1. =e "a! !#n+e een g#ven -ullreg#!trat#on under !e+t#on 18 o- t"e A+t.

Cause o? Dea5h

91: Dr. "a"#dan #n Md Boor 5P?86 wa! t"e -oren!#+ pat"olog#!t t"at +ondu+ted t"e po!tmortem o- t"e de+ea!ed on * De+emer 2001. =#! med#+al report #! at 7*8*;. =e attr#uteddeat" to myo+ard#t#! roug"t aout y an #n-e+t#on t"at "e el#eved to e v#ral #n nature.

91,: "e de-endant! +alled 9mer#tu! Pro-e!!or Datu$ Dr. Ale#u! 9rnald Del#l$an 5D?16 o- t"eAnae!t"e!#ology and 7r#t#+al 7are Un#ver!#ty o- Malaya to te!t#-y a! t"e#r epert w#tne!!. =e wa!o- t"e op#n#on t"at deat" wa! +au!ed y !ep!#! 5a+ute !ept#+aem#+ !"o+$6 roug"t aout y an#n-e+t#on #n t"e lood. D?1 noted t"at alt"oug" myo+ard#t#!K w"#+" "e !a#d #! #n-lammat#on o- t"e"eart t#!!ue! wa! pre!ent "e wa! o- t"e op#n#on t"at #t wa! roug"t aout y t"e #n-e+t#on. "e-#nd#ng! #n Dr. "a"#dan! report t"at were relevant to "#m -orm#ng an op#n#on o- !ep!#! were a!-ollow! 4

1a) t"e "eada+"e -#t! and -ever !u--ered y t"e de+ea!ed on t"e morn#ng o- De+emer1 2001 e-ore "e wa! treated at t"e +l#n#+K

1b) !well#ng #n t"e ra#n w#t" rea+t#ve gl#o!#! dete+tedK

1c) "#g" ody temperature o- 807K

1d) pete+"#ae on l#ver "eart and ot"er organ!K

1e) la+$ +oloured -lu#d #n t"e !toma+"K

1f) pre!en+e o- ol#gur#a 5no ur#ne e#ng produ+ed6K and


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1g) pre!en+e o- lymp"o+yte! on t"e "eart.

91;: D?1 epla#ned t"at t"e pre!en+e o- lymp"o+yte! on t"e "eart t"e !ymptom o- -#tt#ng"eada+"e and -ever t"at Dr. "a"#dan noted "ad man#-e!ted earl#er #n t"e day o- 1 De+emer2001 !ugge!ted t"at !ep!#! wa! pre!ent -or !ome durat#on. %n t"e -rot"#ng at t"e mout" #t wa!+au!ed y t"e pu#monary oedema o- t"e lung! w"#+" mean! !well#ng and -lu#d #n t"e lung!roug"t aout y t"e #n-e+t#on and man#-e!ted outwardly a! -rot"#ng. A! -or t"e pre!en+e o- la+$or +o--ee+olored -lu#d #n t"e !toma+" and vom#ted out #t #nd#+ate! t"ere "ad een leed#ng #n t"e!toma+" -or !omet#me already. 3leed#ng tenden+y "e !a#d +ould pre!ent #n !ept#+aem#a.

91-:Alt"oug" P?8 #n "#! report !tated t"at t"e #n-e+t#on wa! l#$ely v#ral #n or#g#n under +ro!!eam#nat#on P?8 a-ter e#ng appr#!ed o- t"e -a+t t"at ) !#l#ng! o- t"e de+ea!ed "ad eend#agno!ed and treated -or typ"o#d !oon a-ter t"e deat" o- t"e de+ea!ed +on+eded t"at mo!t o-"#! -#nd#ng! at t"e autop!y would al!o -#t !ymptom! o- typ"o#d. =e !a#d t"at w#t" t"e $nowledget"at t"e ot"er !#l#ng! "ad +onta+ted typ"o#d #t !ugge!ted t"at t"e de+ea!ed m#g"t "ave !u--eredt"e !ame a#lment.

91: "e pla#nt#--! #n t"e#r tatement o- 7la#m 5%76 alleged t"at deat" wa! +au!ed y adver!e

rea+t#on to t"e D#+lo-ena+ od#um adm#n#!tered y t"e 1!t de-endant. d#d not -#nd t"at proven onalan+e o- proa#l#t#e!. "e rea!on! -or !ay#ng !o are t"e!e. Dr. Ale#u! Del#l$an d#d not -#nd anyp"y!#+al ev#den+e o- #t and Dr. "a"#dan agreed t"at t"ere wa! no ev#den+e o- allerg#+ or adver!erea+t#on to drug! adm#n#!tered to t"e de+ea!ed. "e pla#nt#-- d#d not addu+e ev#den+e or +all anymed#+al epert to +ounter t"e#r ev#den+e. ,urt"ermore t"e ev#den+e #! +lear t"at y t"e t#me t"ede+ea!ed +"#ld pre!ented at t"e +l#n#+ at ).00 p.m. t"at day "e "ad already !u--ered !ymptom!roug"t aout y !ep!#!. n t"e -#r!t pla+e t"e +"#ld wa! +learly roug"t to t"e +l#n#+ #n anun+on!+#ou! !tate. n t"#! regard -ound t"e 2nd de-endant! den#al o- t"#! #nepl#+ale+on!#der#ng t"at !"e arr#ved at t"e +l#n#+ #n a !tate o- pan#+ and d#!tre!! and plead#ng -or "elp."#! #n my op#n#on wa! an #nd#+at#on o- t"e +r#t#+al and d#re +ond#t#on o- "er !on. Moreover t"e


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+"#ld "ad to e +arr#ed #nto t"e +l#n#+ -rom t"e +ar. I#ven t"e !tate t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- wa! #n t"e +"#ldneed#ng to e +arr#ed #nto t"e +l#n#+ and t"e und#!puted ev#den+e t"at "e wa! runn#ng atemperature o- 807 "ad no d#--#+ulty #n a++ept#ng t"e ev#den+e o- t"e 1!t de-endant t"at t"e+"#ld wa! un+on!+#ou! w"en "e -#r!t !aw "#m #n t"e a+$ !eat o- t"e +ar. n any event +oun!el -or

t"e pla#nt#--! #n "#! !um#!!#on +on+eded t"at t"e +"#ld wa! roug"t to t"e +l#n#+ #n an un+on!+#ou!!tate. "e und#!puted ev#den+e o- D?1 #! t"at -#tt#ng or lo!#ng +on!+#ou!ne!! #! a !ymptom o- t"eto#+ e--e+t o- t"e typ"o#d organ#!m on t"e ra#n.

9*:Anot"er #nd#+at#on t"at !ep!#! "ad already !et #n wa! t"e !ymptom! o- g#dd#ne!! "eada+"evom#t#ng and "#g" -ever t"at t"e +"#ld !u--ered -rom at noon t"at day. "#! wa! d#!+lo!ed y t"e2nd pla#nt#-- under +ro!!eam#nat#on. A! well t"e 1!t pla#nt#-- "ad o!erved at *.00 p.m. t"at dayt"at t"e +"#ld wa! wea$ and "#! ody warm. =e mu!t "ave t"oug"t "#! +ond#t#on !er#ou! enoug"-or "#m to tell "#! w#-e to r#ng "#m to !ee t"e do+tor. A++ord#ng to Dr. Del#l$an and t"#! wa!!upported y t"e ev#den+e o- Dr. "a"#dan -#t! "eada+"e and "#g" ody temperature are all#nd#+at#on! o- an #n-e+t#on or !ep!#!.

9*1: Yet anot"er #nd#+at#on t"at !ep!#! "ad !et #n wa! t"at t"e +"#ld a! te!t#-#ed to y t"e 2ndpla#nt#-- vom#ted out +o--ee+oloured -lu#d a! t"ey arr#ved at t"e entran+e o- t"e A & 9 ward o- t"e"o!p#tal. "#! wa! only m#nute! e-ore t"e +"#ld wa! pronoun+ed dead at ).80 p.m. A++ord#ng toot" Dr. "a"#dan and Dr. Ale Del#l$an t"e pre!en+e o- la+$ or +o--ee+olored -lu#d #n t"e!toma+" #! an #nd#+at#on o- #nternal leed#ng #n t"e !toma+". Dr. Ale Del#l$an !a#d t"at leed#ngtenden+y +ould pre!ent #n !ept#+aem#a and #n t"e !toma+" #t would ta$e aout 12 to 28 "our! -ort"e +olour o- -re!" leed#ng w"#+" #! r#g"t red to +"ange to dar$er +olour toward! la+$. "ate#ng t"e +a!e a+$tra+$#ng would ta$e u! to ).80 a.m. o- 1.12.2001 a! t"e late!t t#me -or t"eon!et o- t"e leed#ng and ).80 p.m. o- *0.11.2001 at t"e earl#e!t. 9#t"er way y t"e t#me t"ede+ea!ed wa! roug"t to t"e +l#n#+ at aout ).00 p.m. on 1.12.2001 !ep!#! "ad een pre!ent #nt"e lood -or !ome durat#on.

9**: %t"er t"an t"e vom#t#ng o- t"e la+$ l#Fu#d t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- a! already ment#oned "ad al!oo!erved ) to 10 m#nute! #nto t"e#r @ourney -rom t"e +l#n#+ to t"e "o!p#tal t"at t"e +"#ld! -a+e andl#p! "ad turned lue and -rot" +ame out -rom t"e mout". A! epla#ned y Dr. Del#l$an t"e!e!ymptom! were not a!!o+#ated w#t" allerg#+ rea+t#on to D#+lo-ena+ od#um ut rat"er to "eart

pump -a#lure roug"t aout y t"e -a#lure o- t"e "eart mu!+le t"at "ad een "armed y t"e to#+e--e+t o- t"e #n-e+t#on y t"e typ"o#d organ#!m. A! #t turned out all t"e !ymptom! t"at "adman#-e!ted and "ad een o!erved y t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- a! !"e drove "er !on to t"e "o!p#tal -romt"e +l#n#+ a-ter t"e #n@e+t#on o- Voltaren were due to !ep!#! t"at "ad een pre!ent -or !omet#meand not -rom an allerg#+ rea+t#on to Voltaren. ,urt"er ot" Dr. "a"#dan and Dr. Del#l$anattr#uted t"e -#nd#ng dur#ng autop!y o- d#--u!ed #n-#ltrat#on o- lymp"o+yte! #n t"e "eart to an#n-e+t#on. n add#t#on Dr. Del#l$an attr#uted t"e -#nd#ng o- pete+"#ae on t"e l#ver and "eart to!ep!#!. I#ven t"e +lear ev#den+e o- Dr. "a"#dan and Dr. Del#l$an #t e+ame +lear to me t"att"ere wa! no ev#den+e o- any adver!e rea+t#on to D#+lo-ena+ od#um.

9*: n!tead w"at emerged -rom t"e ev#den+e o- Dr. Ale#u! Del#l$an !upported y t"at o- Dr."a"#dan! and t"e !urround#ng +#r+um!tan+e! wa! t"at t"e unt#mely dem#!e o- t"#! +"#ld wa!+au!ed y a+ute !eptae+em#+ !"o+$ -rom an #n-e+t#on #n t"e lood !tream w"#+" #n all proa#l#tywa! typ"o#d t"at re!ulted #n myo+ard#t#!. !o -ound.

he A05ion in Con5ra05 an4 (egligen0e

9*,: Dr. Muruga Ea@ t"e 2nd de-endant #! a general pra+t#t#oner and a d#re+tor o- >umpulanPeruatan Ea@ dn 3"d t"e *rd de-endant. Po##$l#n#$ a@ 28 Jam 5t"e +l#n#+6 t"at P?2 "adroug"t t"e de+ea!ed to #! owned and operated y t"e *rd de-endant. "e pla#nt#--! w"o are t"eparent! o- t"e de+ea!ed +"#ld roug"t t"#! a+t#on -or damage! aga#n!t t"e de-endant! +ontend#ngt"at t"e deat" o- t"e +"#ld wa! +au!ed y t"e negl#gen+e o- t"e de-endant! and/or rea+" o-+ontra+tual duty. "e part#+ular! o- t"e rea+" o- +ontra+t o- t"e 1!t de-endant are !et out #n para.1: and t"at o- t"e 2nd and *rd de-endant! #n para. 1; o- t"e %7. ?"erea! t"e part#+ular! o- t"e


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Page : ,or t"e rea!on! g#ven aove -ound t"at t"e pla#nt#--! "ad -a#led to prove on alan+e o-proa#l#t#e! t"at t"e 1!t de-endant "ad -a#led to atta#n t"e !tandard o- +are reFu#red o- "#m. #n+et"e pla#nt#--! "ad -a#led to +ome to proo- on t"#! #ngred#ent t"e a+t#on #n negl#gen+e aga#n!t t"e 1!tde-endant ne+e!!ar#ly -a#led.

9ang=wee Iee J 5a! "e t"en wa!6 o!erved #n 3u Sie0 5ing v 4unung Tungga" 6uarry &

Cons#ruc#ion Sdn hd & /rs'1GGG( 8 MLJ G at 2: 4

HA rea+" o- !u+" a duty o- +are +annot e e!tal#!"ed y merely enumerat#ng w"at t"e operator "ad-a#led to do and w"at "e oug"t to "ave done. n t"e word! o- Adul Male$ A"mad J7A #n r Chin 5oonHia! ' +g -u Khoon & /rs and o#her a!!ea"s'1GG


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9


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n t"e !ame way #na!mu+" a! t"e +#r+um!tan+e! and +au!e o- deat" o- t"e de+ea!ed +"#ld were!u--#+#ently $nown t"e pla#nt#--! +ould not ava#l t"em!elve! o- t"e re! #p!a loFu#tur do+tr#ne to #n-ernegl#gen+e on t"e part o- t"e de-endant!. And e+au!e t"e -a+t! are !u--#+#ently $nown a! LordPorter epla#ned #n ark0ay v Sou#h 3a"es Trans!or# Co 1#d'1G)0( 1 All 9E *G2 at *G) Ht"e

Fue!t#on +ea!e! to e one w"ere t"e -a+t! !pea$ -or t"em!elve! and t"e !olut#on #! to e -oundy determ#n#ng w"et"er on t"e -a+t! a! e!tal#!"ed negl#gen+e #! to e #n-erred or not.H "ate#ng t"e +a!e t"e urden rema#ned on t"e pla#nt#--! to prove rea+" o- duty #n@ury and +au!at#onon t"e -a+t! e!tal#!"ed.

9=: t -ollow! t"at t"e net Fue!t#on wa! w"et"er on t"e -a+t! e!tal#!"ed #t wa! proved onalan+e o- proa#l#t#e! t"at t"e deat" o- t"e de+ea!ed +"#ld would not "ave o++urred ut -or t"enegl#gen+e o- t"e de-endant!.

9=1: "e pla#nt#--! #n t"e#r !um#!!#on appeared to "ave rel#ed on t"e !ame !et o- -a+t! outl#ned #npara. ')0( ')1( ')2( and ')*( aove to !"ow t"e +au!at#ve l#n$ or to #n-er negl#gen+e o- t"ede-endant!. "e pla#nt#--! +ontended t"at t"e!e rea+"e! re!ulted #n t"e -ollow#ng 4

52 5a6 ava#lale and etter alternat#ve! not ta$en #nto a++ount and po!!##l#t#e! not

+on!#deredK53 56 delay #n gett#ng appropr#ate and Fual#-#ed +are -or t"e +"#ldK and

54 5+6 -a#lure to d#agno!eK -a#lure to "ave proper med#+at#onK and -a#lure to "ave propereFu#pment !ta--#ng and a Fual#-#ed per!on on "and.

9=*: "e -#r!t !et o- -a+t! rel#ed on y t"e pla#nt#--! "a! to do w#t" t"e la+$ o- Fual#-#+at#on o- t"e 1!tde-endant and "#! adm#tted la+$ o- $nowledge #n paed#atr#+ +are. "e Fue!t#on ar#!#ng wa! d#d "#!la+$ o- Fual#-#+at#on and la+$ o- $nowledge #n paed#atr#+ +are +au!e or +ontr#uted to t"e deat" o-t"e de+ea!ed +"#ld o my m#nd la+$#ng Fual#-#+at#on a! #n not yet e#ng -ully reg#!tered undert"e Med#+al A+t doe! not #n #t!el- e!tal#!" negl#gen+e. An analogy +an e drawn -rom t"e +a!e o-an unl#+en!ed dr#ver o- a motor ve"#+le #nvolved #n an a++#dent. n Si#i Rohani b#e Mohd Shah &/rs v Ha%i 7aina" bin Saifiee & $nor'2001( ) MLJ < Je--rey an J 5a! "e t"en wa!6 o!erved at1


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e#ng t"e +a!e #t wa! o- no +on!eFuen+e even #- t"e 1!t de-endant d#d not "ave t"e $nowledgeaout t"e adm#n#!trat#on o- Voltaren or t"at "e "ad adm#n#!tered #t y #n@e+t#on. t #! not t"at am!ay#ng t"at #t wa! proven t"at t"e 1!t de-endant d#d not "ave !u+" $nowledge. n trut" t"epla#nt#--! "ad not addu+ed ev#den+e or proven t"at t"e 1!t de-endant "ad no $nowledge o- t"e

adm#n#!trat#on o- Voltaren."u! t"e pla#nt#--! "ad not proven a +au!at#ve l#n$ etween t"e adm#n#!trat#on o- Voltaren and t"edeat" o- t"e +"#ld.

9=;: "e net !et o- -a+t! rel#ed on y t"e pla#nt#--! perta#ned to t"e 1!t de-endant! -a#lure to ta$et"e +"#ld! lood pre!!ure e+au!e t"e +l#n#+ la+$ed t"e paed#atr#+ +u--. ,or t"#! to e o- anyrelevan+e #t wa! ne+e!!ary -or t"e pla#nt#-- to lead ev#den+e to prove t"at ta$#ng t"e +"#ld! loodpre!!ure w#t" a paed#atr#+ +u-- would "ave made a d#--eren+e to t"e out+ome or t"e -a#lure to do!o +au!ed or +ontr#uted to t"e +"#ld! deat". "ere e#ng no !u+" ev#den+e t"e attempt y t"epla#nt#--! to prove a +au!at#ve l#n$ #n t"#! -a#led.

9=-: +ome now to t"e matter o- not +all#ng an amulan+e -or t"e +"#ld. n !o -ar a! +au!at#on wa!+on+erned #t wa! a#omat#+ t"at t"e pla#nt#--! proved on alan+e o- proa#l#t#e! t"at t"e +all#ng o-an amulan+e would "ave made a d#--eren+e to t"e out+ome #.e. t"at t"e +"#ld would not "ave

d#ed. "ere !#mply wa! no ev#den+e addu+ed to !"ow "ow under t"e +#r+um!tan+e! t"e +all#ngo- an amulan+e would "ave prevented t"e deat" o- t"e +"#ld. ?"at t"e ev#den+e e!tal#!"edwa! t"at t"e mot"er and +"#ld were at t"e +l#n#+ more or le!! 10 m#nute!. "e 1!t de-endantel#eved #t would e -a!ter -or t"e mot"er to ta$e t"e +"#ld "er!el- to t"e "o!p#tal rat"er t"an wa#t-or an amulan+e t"at +an ta$e !ome t#me to arr#ve. A! ment#oned earl#er under t"e+#r+um!tan+e! t"at wa! rea!onale. "e ev#den+e e!tal#!"ed t"at t"e 2nd de-endant too$ *0m#nute! to get to t"e "o!p#tal -rom t"e +l#n#+. ,urt"er t"e +"#ld "ad ep#red !oon a-ter arr#val att"e entran+e o- t"e A & 9 ward o- t"e "o!p#tal w"#+" go#ng y t"e ev#den+e +ould only "ave een

@u!t m#nute! e-ore a+tual arr#val #n t"e ward at ).80 p.m. ?ould t"e +all#ng o- an amulan+e "avemade t"e d#--eren+e #n !av#ng t"#! +"#ld! l#-e ?"#l!t #t wa! po!!#le t"at t"e +all#ng o- t"eamulan+e m#g"t "ave !aved "#! l#-e #t wa! eFually po!!#le t"at #t m#g"t not. "e onu! wa! ont"e pla#nt#--! to e!tal#!" t"at t"e +all#ng o- t"e amulan+e m#g"t "ave !aved "#! l#-e. "ere wa! noev#den+e addu+ed o- t"#! and #t wa! not -or t"#! +ourt to !pe+ulate. "at would "ave een wrong.

9dgar Jo!ep" Jr 7J !a#d a! mu+" #n Sundra v $run%unan & $nor'1GG8( * MLJ *:1 at p. *;1 4

H...t"ere were no o@e+t#ve -a+t! -rom w"#+" #t +ould e #n-erred a! a matter o- rea!onale proa#l#ty t"att"e pla#nt#-- "ad !u!ta#ned t"e "ead #n@ury a! a re!ult o- -all#ng to t"e ground -ollow#ng t"e pr#or +oll#!#onw#t" t"e ot"er motor+y+le. ?e a++ept "owever t"at upon t"e ev#den+e #t wa! po!!#le t"at "e "ad!u!ta#ned t"e "ead #n@ury #n t"at way. t wa! eFually po!!#le t"at "e "ad not. o t"ere wa! #n!u--#+#entev#den+e to +onne+t t"e "ead #n@ury w#t" t"e ot"er motor+y+le. n t"#! +ontet we are rem#nded o- t"eword! o- u--#an ,J 5a! t"en wa!6 #n 4uan Soon Tin Mining Co v 3ong *ook Ku'1G:G( 1 MLJ GG at p10* +ol 29, 4

"ere wa! no po!#t#ve proo- a! t"ere wa! #n t"e Irand y case51G2*6


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appropr#ate and Fual#-#ed +are to t"e +"#ld t"erey +au!#ng "#! deat". A! already determ#ned t"eev#den+e e!tal#!"ed t"at t#me !pent at t"e +l#n#+ wa! 10 m#nute! or le!!. "e pla#nt#--! #n order toe!tal#!" +au!at#on needed to prove t"at arr#val at t"e Jo"or pe+#al#!t =o!p#tal 10 m#nute!!ooner would "ave made t"e d#--eren+e #n !av#ng t"e +"#ld! l#-e. "e pla#nt#--! d#d not lead

ev#den+e on t"#!. "ere wa! a po!!##l#ty #t m#g"t "ave made t"e d#--eren+e. %n t"e ot"er "and #twa! eFually po!!#le #t m#g"t not "ave and t"at t"e +"#ld would "ave d#ed #n any event.

9=>: "#! r#ng! to m#nd t"e +a!e o- arne## v Che"sea and Kensing#on Hos!i#a" Manageen#Coi##ee'1G:G( 1 3 82


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o- EM20 made on t"e #n!#!ten+e o- t"e 1!t pla#nt#-- w"o w#t"out t"e !l#g"te!t +ompun+t#onadm#tted #n +ourt "e d#d !o e+au!e "e wa! !ee$#ng -or ev#den+e !"ould e regarded a! pa!t+on!#derat#on w"#+" #n any +a!e #! #nval#d +on!#derat#on.

9>;: e+ondly -rom t"e -a+t! e!tal#!"ed t"ere wa! no #ntent#on to +reate a +ontra+tual

relat#on!"#p on t"e part o- t"e de-endant!. "e ev#den+e +learly !"owed t"at t"e 1!t de-endantwa! an atta+"ment !tudent and only #ntended to re!pond to t"e 2nd pla#nt#--! +ry -or "elp #n anemergen+y !#tuat#on a! a good amar#tan. ,rom t"e ev#den+e o- ot" t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- and t"e 1!tde-endant #t wa! +lear t"at payment wa! ne#t"er a!$ed -or nor d#!+u!!ed or made at t"e t#me o-treatment. =en+e t"ere wa! never any #ntent#on to +"arge t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- -or t"e emergen+ymed#+al treatment prov#ded nor d#d t"e de-endant! ever reFue!ted payment. n !u+"+#r+um!tan+e! t"ere +ould not e #n my op#n#on a val#d +ontra+t -ormed etween t"e pla#nt#--!and t"e 1!t de-endant.

9>-:A! -or t"e 2nd and *rd de-endant! t"e ev#den+e wa! +lear t"at t"e 1!t de-endant d#d not"ave aut"or#ty w"et"er a+tual or o!ten!#le to enter #nto a +ontra+t w#t" t"e pla#nt#--! on e"al- o-t"e 2nd and *rd de-endant!. Moreover at no t#me wa! t"e 1!t de-endant e#t"er a+tually or "eldout to e an agent o- t"e 2nd and *rd de-endant! w#t" t"e aut"or#ty to treat pat#ent! nor "eld outto e a reg#!tered do+tor. n -a+t t"e 1!t de-endant wa! !tand#ng #n -ront o- t"e +ounter o- t"e+l#n#+ #.e. t"e pul#+ area w"en t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- arr#ved and t"ere wa! no ot"er pat#ent #n t"e +l#n#+."e 1!t de-endant "ad al!o told t"e 2nd pla#nt#-- t"at t"e do+tor wa! out. "e 2nd pla#nt#-- adm#tted!"e #n!#!ted t"at t"e 1!t de-endant treated t"e +"#ld notw#t"!tand#ng t"at !"e t"oug"t t"e 1!tde-endant wa! not a do+tor. "e 1!t de-endant al!o d#d not "ave a++e!! to t"e do+tor! tale andt"e med#+al eFu#pment pla+ed t"ereon. "u! #t wa! unden#ale t"at t"e 1!t de-endant o- "#! ownvol#t#on g#ven t"e +#r+um!tan+e! ele+ted to treat t"e +"#ld. =#! a+t#on! +ould #n no way +reatel#a#l#ty -or t"e 2nd and *rd de-endant! #n +ontra+t.

9>=: ,or t"e!e rea!on! t"e pla#nt#--! -a#led #n t"e#r +la#m #n +ontra+t.

Con0lusion

9>>: n t"e re!ult t"e pla#nt#--! +la#m aga#n!t t"e de-endant! "ad to e d#!m#!!ed. "at d#d w#t"+o!t! to t"e de-endant! to e taed unle!! agreed.


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Documents

Ang Yew Meng & Anor v Dr. Sashikannan Al Ar 2011 HC