A man who fell from a subway platform in front of an oncoming train has to give back part of the compensation he received from the Beijing Subway Company, the Xicheng District Court ruled on Friday.
Wu Hualin may have to return up to 550,000 of the 800,000 yuan he was awarded after the accident, at a retrial set by the company to readdress the balance of blame.
He was the first person to sue Beijing Subway.
The 36-year-old from Anhui Province lost both of his legs when he fell onto the tracks at Nanlishi Road station in Sept. 2004.
The court ruled against Wu in November 2005 and again in March 2006. Wu was awarded the compensation at a trial in January 2008.
In its latest decision, Xicheng District Court ruled that Wu holds the main responsibility. Wu was running to catch the subway as it approached the station, which led to the accident, the court said.
The court ruled that Beijing Subway was not at fault because the company has warned the public about the danger of oncoming trains and also helped Wu receive medical attention after the accident occurred.
In previous court debates, Wu's lawyer and Beijing Subway focused on whether the train was traveling too fast.
"This decision may kill him," said Jin Zhanliang, the attorney representing Wu. "I have talked with his elder sister, and she will tell Wu sometime after Chinese New Year. He is not in good shape at the moment."
Before the case reopened, Wu and his family had made the decision that if he lost, he would apply for appeal, said Jin.
Wu told local media that he was worried the court would change the decision because he has already spent most of the compensation on medical bills for his injuries.
Beijing Subway spokesperson Jia Peng said the company has not decided whether it will require Wu to return the money.
Questions:
1. How much money could Wu have to return?
2. Why did the Xicheng District Court consider Wu at fault?
3. Why was Wu worried about a reversal of the decision?
Answers:
1. Wu Hualin may have to return up to 550,000 of the 800,000 yuan he was awarded after the accident.
2. The court ruled that Beijing Subway was not at fault because the company has warned the public about the danger of oncoming trains and also helped Wu receive medical attention after the accident occurred.
3. Wu told local media that he was worried the court would change the decision since he has already spent most of the compensation on medical bills for his injuries.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
About the broadcaster:
Dan Chinoy is a reporter and editor for the China Daily's website. A graduate of Columbia University, he grew up in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Dan has experience in Hillary Clinton's Senate Office in Washington, and Fortune Magazine in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate in Shenyang. Dan speaks Chinese, but not as well as he should.