Retired professor in Taiwan sued after failing to catch falling woman, settles case for S$4,300
A retired university professor in Taipei who was charged with negligent injury after trying to stop a woman from falling at an MRT station has reached a NT$110,000 (around S$4,300) settlement with her.
The case reportedly left the man, surnamed Liu (name transliterated from Mandarin) and aged over 60, questioning whether he should continue helping strangers.
During court proceedings, however, the presiding judge shared his own experience of facing a similar dilemma and encouraged Mr Liu not to lose faith in doing good.
Professor tries to catch woman who lost her balance
The incident happened in February at Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT Station in Taipei.
Mr Liu was walking up an escalator when a woman in her 60s in front of him suddenly lost her balance near the top.
Seeing her about to fall, he reached out in an attempt to catch her but was unsuccessful, and she fell to the ground.
The woman subsequently filed a complaint against him.
Source: Dragos Neigoita’s Images on Canva for illustration purposes only
Prosecutors maintained that Mr Liu had made physical contact with her and later charged him with negligent injury.
Mr Liu disputed that account and reportedly asked to review the surveillance footage again. He also offered to undergo a polygraph test, but prosecutors declined his requests.
Woman initially asked for S$19,800 settlement
Prosecutors initially attempted to resolve the dispute through mediation.
However, the woman reportedly sought NT$500,000 (around S$19,800) in compensation, which Mr Liu said he could not afford.
After mediation fell through, prosecutors proceeded with the negligent injury charge.
The ordeal reportedly took an emotional toll on Mr Liu, who struggled to sleep and began questioning whether helping others was worth the potential consequences.
Former students turn up in court to support professor
When the case reached the Taipei District Court, many of Mr Liu’s former students reportedly attended to support him, nearly filling the public gallery.
Presiding Judge Song Entong (name transliterated from Mandarin) encouraged both sides to consider another attempt at mediation, noting that proceeding to a full trial would require considerably more time and effort.
Source: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels for illustration purposes only
The judge then shared a personal experience of his own.
While jogging at Da’an Forest Park, he had come across a woman who had fallen while jogging.
Judge Song admitted that he briefly hesitated to help because he was worried that his actions might later be misunderstood.
However, he ultimately decided to assist her, saying he still believed in the value of helping others.
Both sides settle for S$4,300
Following the judge’s mediation efforts, Mr Liu and the woman eventually agreed to settle for NT$110,000 (around S$4,300).
After reaching the agreement, Mr Liu asked for permission to address the court.
He said that despite the distress caused by the case, if he could return to the moment at the MRT station, he would still choose to reach out and help the woman.
Mr Liu added that he did not want the experience to destroy his belief in helping others and hoped to continue believing in kindness.
Also read: Man in M’sia gets sued for S$91K after writing negative review of restaurant on Facebook
Man in M’sia gets sued for S$91K after writing negative review of restaurant on Facebook
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Gul Isik from Pexels on Canva & KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA from Pexels on Canva, for illustration purposes only.
