Woman sues Sheng Siong & employee for negligence after allegedly getting hit by trolley with rice sacks

A woman has sued Sheng Siong and its employee for negligence after she was allegedly hit from behind by a trolley carrying sacks of rice.

CNA reported that one Dong Lihua is taking Sheng Siong to court after the incident happened at the supermarket's Clementi West Street 2 outlet in March 2021. 

Dong claimed that she suffered injuries to her foot and back as a result of the incident.

According to CNA, she is seeking about S$11,000 in medical and transport expenses as well as further damages for pain, suffering, loss of amenity, and future expenses.

Sheng Siong has denied any negligence on its part.

How she was hit

The incident allegedly took place around 10am on Mar. 11, 2021, according to a statement of claim CNA saw.

While Dong was walking around the supermarket, a trolley containing bags of rice hit her from behind, hitting the back of her left foot and her back. An employee was pushing the trolley at the time.

A Sheng Siong branch manager accompanied her to a clinic, and she went to Clementi Polyclinic and the National University Hospital for further treatment.

According to Dong, she suffered bruising, swelling, and an abrasion to her left foot, a bruised left heel, and a restricted range of motion for her left ankle.

She further claimed that she suffered from degenerative disc disease in her lower back, which was worsened by the incident.

She also cited that she had chronic pain syndrome and depression.

Dong asserted that the negligence in the case arose from the employee going excessively fast, failing to be keep a lookout, and failing to manoeuvre the trolley to avoid colliding with her.

Subsequently, she also argued that Sheng Siong did not provide enough space in the aisles, and train the employee to ensure that he was moving the trolley safely.

Sheng Siong's version of the story

The supermarket chain challenged Dong's telling of the incident, reported CNA.

It is represented by lawyers from LVM Law Chambers.

Sheng Siong stated that the rice was placed on a trolley which was around 155cm tall and 122cm long.

The supermarket chain claimed that Dong had "suddenly emerged" from the aisles, into the trolley's path and failed to notice the approaching trolley.

Sheng Siong said that the accident and Dong's injury was "solely caused or contributed by" her negligence, and Dong did not take steps to avoid the trolley.

As such, her injuries were not caused by negligence on the part of the employee or the supermarket chain, it asserted.

It also disputed that Dong suffered the injuries, disabilities, losses or expenses she claimed, further claiming that they were "unreasonably incurred". 

The case is still pending.

Mothership has reached out to LVM Law Chambers for more information.