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Tinian Shipping sued for $1.3-M
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Posted on Nov 15 2000
A Chinese couple yesterday lodged a $1.3 million lawsuit against the operators of the Tinian ferry after the wife fell and sustained injuries while getting off at the dock in the island municipality.
Wu Lai Hao and her husband Liang Guo Xi sued Tinian Shipping and Transportation, Inc. and parent company Hong Kong Entertainment Overseas Investments Ltd. in the civil complaint in the U.S. District Court.
According to the suit filed on behalf of the couple by lawyer Paul A. Lawlor, the incident occurred on May 20, 2000 while Ms. Wu was disembarking from the Saipan Express, a ferry owned by TSTI, at the Tinian Dock.
The complaint claimed she fell from the walkway of the ship on to the ground at the docking area because the company failed to provide a safe means for ferry passengers to disembark.
She experienced a broken leg, loss of bodily function and impairment of her general health as a result of the accident, prompting her to seek medical attention, the suit alleged.
But her leg has been permanently damaged which has caused Ms. Wu to suffer severe pain, both mental and physical, she said in court papers.
Her husband, on the other hand, has been suffering since the accident because his wife has not been able to perform her duties as housewife, according to the complaint.
It claimed the injury deprived Mr. Liang “the care, consideration, companionship, aid and society of his wife and [her] pleasure and assistance.”
Ms. Wu is seeking general damages amounting to $1 million, Mr. Liang $300,000 for special damages as well as unspecified amount in other damages to be determined in a jury trial they are petitioning.
TSTI could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit. (BS)
