莫錦平 對 葉家啟及另一人

Read the full judgment text of HCPI 546/2014 on BabelCite. This High Court CFI judgment was delivered on 5 October 2016.

1. 本案的原告人現年49歲,他從2011年4月26日起受僱於第二被告人,獲派東涌海濱路12號藍天海岸的會所游泳池擔任救生員。第一被告人亦為第二被告人的僱員,同時在該會所泳池擔任救生員。

Cited by 13 cases · Cites 3 cases

Case No.HCPI 546/2014
Court
High Court CFI
Date05 Oct 2016
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

HCPI 546/2014

香港特別行政區

高等法院原訟法庭

民事司法管轄權

傷亡訴訟編號2014年第546號

____________

原告人 MOK KAM PING (莫錦平)  
   
第一被告人 YIP KA KAI (葉家啟)  
第二被告人 LUI CHING MING RAINGO formerly trading as RAINGO MANAGEMENT COMPANY
(呂志明經營永高管理公司)
 

____________

主審法官: 高等法院原訟法庭林雲浩法官法庭聆訊
聆訊日期: 2016年7月6日和7日
判決書日期: 2016年10月5日

判決書

1.本案的原告人現年49歲,他從2011年4月26日起受僱於第二被告人,獲派東涌海濱路12號藍天海岸的會所游泳池擔任救生員。第一被告人亦為第二被告人的僱員,同時在該會所泳池擔任救生員。

2.原告人聲稱,於2011年6月27日下午4時,他在泳池旁一個靠近員工儲物櫃的位置坐着小休時,第一被告人突然向他走過來,不由分說向他的左耳位置先後打了兩拳,並責罵原告人沒有等他來接更便離開了崗位。在旁的一位姓楊的同事見狀,立即走過來分隔二人。這時,第一被告人再次揮拳襲擊原告人,原告人亦揮手自衛。稍後,警員到達現場處理事件。

3.事後,原告人和第一被告人分別被控在公眾地方打鬥,第一被告人被裁定罪名成立。原告人於2011年11月16日在荃灣裁判法院受審,經審訊後裁定罪名不成立。

4.原告人於2014年6月11日在高等法院提出本民事訴訟,向第一及第二被告人追討人身損害賠償。

5.根據原告人於2015年7月15日存檔的經編正的損害陳述書,他要求的賠償金額為5,413,230.72元及利息。

6.第一被告人既沒有答辯,亦沒有出席審訊。

7.第二被告人承認他是原告人及第一被告人的僱主,但他在答辯書中一直否認他本身有任何疏忽,亦否認須對第一被告人的行為承擔轉承責任,而且提出原告人所受的損害是他本身的共分疏忽引致的。可是,在代表第二被告人的王志光大律師於2016年6月30日提交法庭的開案陳詞中,第二被告人確認他不再爭議責任問題,亦沒有提出原告人須負共分疏忽的責任,所以在這審訊中唯一的爭議事項,是原告人所追討的賠償金額。

8.在審訊期間,原告人親自行事,並出庭作供。第二被告人沒有傳召任何證人,對原告人診治醫生的紀錄及報告亦沒有爭議。第二被告人依賴耳鼻喉專家的報告及精神科專家鍾思源醫生的意見。

傷勢及治療

9.意外發生後,原告人往瑪嘉烈醫院急症室接受治療。醫生發現原告人的左臉有輕微腫脹、左手有瘀傷及左耳膜破裂。X光片顯示原告人沒有骨折,醫生給原告人處方止痛藥物後安排原告人同日出院。

10.在2011年7月4日,原告人被轉介到仁濟醫院的耳鼻喉專科門診接受治療。醫生為原告人檢查時,發現他的左耳膜有百分之三十 (30%) 的創傷性穿孔。

11.在2011年8月9日,原告人自行往明愛醫院急症室求診。醫生檢查後,發現原告人的左耳膜有疤痕和凝血 (Left ear drum scar with clots),診斷為左耳膜破裂。原告人被轉介回仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科作進一步治療。

12.在2011年8月23日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診,經檢驗後,醫生認為原告人雙耳的聽力大致正常,而且左耳膜的穿孔亦已接近復原 (almost healed)。

13.在2011年9月20日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診時,發現左耳膜破裂已痊癒。但原告人投訴患有嚴重耳痛、失眠及情緒受困擾。根據主診醫生紀錄,原告人投訴耳痛,並請求病假。主診醫生轉介原告人往精神科及痛症診所接受治療。

14.在2011年9月26日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診。根據紀錄,當醫生嘗試檢查原告人的左耳外耳時,他稱有不合比例的痛楚,於是醫生計劃把原告人轉介至精神科及痛症診所。

15.在2011年10月3日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診時,仍投訴有耳痛。醫生發現耳鏡檢查清晰,而面部神經亦完整無缺 (otoscopy clear, facial nerve intact)。原告人請求病假。

16.在2011年10月6日、10日、13日、17日、20日和27日,原告人繼續到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診,他一直投訴有左耳痛。可是,根據2011年10月27日的醫療紀錄,原告人並沒有提到有其他的耳鼻喉科症狀 (no other ENT symptoms)。而且當日的主診醫生馬光漢醫生(譯音)寫下評語,認為原告人正誇大他的情況 (exaggerating)。該位馬醫生的職位是耳鼻喉科的部門主管 (Chief of Service)。

17.在2011年10月31日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診。當時的主診醫生紀錄了原告人除投訴左耳疼痛外,並沒有其他耳鼻喉科的症狀,而且原告人拒絕作聽力測試,又不願意取止痛藥。

18.在2011年11月3日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科接受頭部電腦掃描,結果無異常發現 (no abnormality detected)。

19.在2011年11月14和21日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診。原告人不願意被轉介往臨床心理學家,也不願意拿取止痛藥。

20.在2011年11月28日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診時,仍投訴左耳痛。根據主診醫生紀錄,原告人不願往臨牀心理學家接受痛症治療,亦不願意申請MAB (Medical Assessment Board)。而且當醫生為他檢查時,即使耳鏡還未放入耳內,原告人已誇張地作出疼痛的反應。原告人只要求病假。主診醫生告訴原告人,他們會安排MAB。

21.在2011年12月5日,原告人到仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診時,仍投訴左耳痛。根據主診醫生紀錄,原告人沒有投訴耳鳴或眩暈。

22.此後,原告人在下列日期往仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科覆診:-

(1) 2011年12月12日;

(2) 2011年12月19日,原告人聽力測試正常,耳膜亦正常,但請求延長病假;

(3) 2011年12月29日;

(4) 2012年1月5日,原告人拒絕MAB但請求病假;

(5) 2012年2月2日;

(6) 2012年2月20日,原告人拒絕聽力測試,並請求病假;

(7) 2012年3月5日,原告人「強烈」請求病假;

(8) 2012年3月8日,醫生檢查時一切正常;

(9) 2012年3月12日,原告人拒絕提早轉介往精神科;

(10) 2012年3月15日,原告人投訴左耳痛。原告人聲稱因為耳痛不能工作,而請求病假;

(11) 2012年3月20日,原告人拒絕接受藥物治療;

(12) 2012年3月27日,原告人請求病假;

(13) 2012年4月3日;

(14) 2012年4月17日;

(15) 2012年5月13日,原告人要求兩星期病假;

(16) 2012年5月17日;

(17) 2012年5月31日;及

(18) 2012年6月28日。

23.原告人在2012年7月24日,被轉介到西九龍精神科中心接受治療。醫生經檢查後發現原告人患有失眠症,並指出他亦有很大可能患有適應障礙。醫生給原告人開了抗抑鬱藥和安眠藥。

24.原告人於2012年11月27日在西九龍精神科中心覆診時,告訴醫生他服藥後睡眠和脾氣得到改善。可是,由於他對藥物產生皮膚敏感,所以便停止了服用這些藥物。

25.原告人於2013年7月10日在西九龍精神科中心覆診時,要求試新催眠藥。

26.原告人於2014年2月19日在西九龍精神科中心覆診時,告訴醫生他有許多催眠藥,故不再需要催眠藥。醫生不再處方開藥和給予原告人覆診日期。

僱員補償

27.原告人在入稟法庭前,已申請了僱員補償。經僱員補償(普通評估)委員會評估,原告人因受傷而引致永久喪失賺取收入能力達6%。

28.原告人獲得僱員補償金額498,160元。

耳鼻喉專科專家醫生報告

29.區永華醫生 (Dr Au Wing Wah) 是原告人的耳鼻喉專科專家醫生,勞兆聲醫生 (Dr Lo Siu Sing) 是第二被告人的耳鼻喉專科專家醫生。原告人於2014年7月4日接受這兩位醫生驗傷。

30.兩位耳鼻喉專科專家醫生共同撰寫了一份專家醫生報告。兩位專家醫生對於驗傷結果及意見沒有異議,他們的總結是沒有任何具說服力的客觀證據支持原告人聲稱聽力減少。

31.由於原告人聲稱有耳鳴,兩位專家醫生評估原告人有百分之一的身體永久損傷 (1% permanent impairment)。

32.兩位專家醫生評估原告人的病假應該至2011年9月20日而止。

33.以下節錄耳鼻喉科專家報告的原文:

“2. ... the Medical Records from Yan Chai Hospital include 4 hearing tests dated 23/08/2011, 26/09/2011, 19/12/2011 and 05/03/2012 respectively. Although the first 2 tests did demonstrate mild left hearing impairment when compared with the right ear, the last 2 tests had clearly shown that hearing threshold of both of Mr. Mok’s ears were equal and normal. As a result, we can only conclude that there is no convincing documented objective test to support Mr. Mok’s allegation of impaired left hearing after the assault.

...

5. Mr. Mok also complains about persistent left ear pain which exacerbates when coming into contact with water. And this is one of the factors that prevent him from resuming his previous job as a life guard in the swimming pool. After lengthy discussion and looking through literatures, we cannot find any medical ground to support Mr. Mok’s complaint so far ENT is concerned. We suggest seeking the opinions of a psychiatrist and/or neurologist to shed some light on this issue.

...

7. In the absence of left ear pain and tinnitus, Mr. Mok can resume the duty of life guard after the perforated ear drum has healed. According to items (2) and (7) of the Reference Document Bundle, viz. the Medical Report written by Dr. Ma Kwong-hon, Chief of Service, Department of ENT, Yan Chai Hospital dated 30/01/2012 and various Medical Records from Yan Chai Hospital, Mr. Mok’s perforated ear drum was certified healed upon follow up on 20/9/2011. Hence, sick leaves would be terminated at this point and Mr. Mok could resume his prior job as a life guard. However, Mr. Mok still complained about left ear pain, tinnitus and insomnia up till now. These are all subjective complaints and there is no objective method to confirm, let alone measure them. We find it hard to believe the left ear pain after an assault by fist without any permanent hearing impairment and radiological abnormality in the CT Scan could have such a long lasting effect. But neither could we discredit Mr. Mok’s claim. Hopefully the neurologist/psychiatrist can enlighten us on this aspect. ...

8. In the field of Otorhinolaryngology, a healed perforated ear drum with normal hearing would bring everything back to normal and the prognosis is good.”

精神科專家醫生報告

34.原告人的精神科專家醫生是黃重光醫生 (Dr Wong Chung Kwong),第二被告人的精神科專家醫生是鍾思源醫生 (Dr Chung See Yuen)。原告人在2014年10月3日接受兩位專家醫生診驗。

35.兩位精神科專家醫生共同撰寫了一份專家醫生報告。

36.黃重光醫生診斷原告人患有身心性妄想症 (Delusion Disorder, Somatic Type)。現節錄黃醫生意見的原文如下:

“65. My psychiatric diagnosis is that Mr Mok has been suffering from Delusional Disorder. ... One subtype of Delusional Disorder is ‘Somatic Type’.

66. ... Delusional Disorder is one kind of psychotic disorders characterized by ‘nonbizarre delusion(s)’. Delusion is a false unshakeable belief that cannot be understood from the afflicted person’s developmental and cultural backgrounds. Bizarre delusions are defined as:

‘... Delusions are deemed bizarre if they are clearly implausible, not understandable, and not derived from ordinary life experiences (e.g., an individual’s belief that a stranger has removed his or her internal organs and replaced them with someone else’s organs without leaving any wounds or scars).’

67. Nonbizarre delusions are defined as:

‘In contrast, nonbizarre delusions involve situations that can conceivably occur in real life (e.g., being followed, poisoned, infected, loved at a distance, or deceived by one’s spouse or lover).’

68. There are various subtypes of Delusional Disorder. One subtype is ‘Somatic Type’. The characteristic features of the Somatic Type Delusional Disorder are:

‘Somatic Type

This subtype applies when the central theme of the delusion involves bodily functions or sensations. Somatic delusions can occur in several forms. Most common are the person’s conviction that he or she emits a foul odor from the skin, mouth, rectum, or vagina; that there is an infestation of insects on or in the skin; that there is an internal parasite; that certain parts of the body are definitely (contrary to all evidence) misshapen or ugly; or that parts of the body (e.g., the large intestine) are not functioning.’

69. Mr Mok complains of left ear pain and other symptoms related to that ear. Even though he has been told that his perforated ear drum has healed, he unshakeably believes that ear is still abnormal. He thinks his left ear has been hurt by the blow. Even though he is told that the perforated ear drum has healed, his belief that his left ear is seriously hurt is unshakeably held. Together with that belief, he feels severe pain and tinnitus in that ear. Behaviourally, he absolutely prevents water from getting into that ear, even though common sense would dictate that an intact ear drum prevents water from getting into the inner ear. Delusions are irrational as they are unshakeable false beliefs. Another obvious irrationality in his case is his belief that sweat is all right to get into that ear. In this joint psychiatric examination, I also try to shake his belief. I am convinced that it is an unshakeable belief. My conclusion is that his left ear symptom is delusional in nature.

...

78. As such, provided that he is given the treatment as I will recommend in the next Section, at the end of treatment, i.e. after one year of treatment, I think he has a good chance of improving significantly. By then, he will likely suffer from only mild residual symptoms of Delusional Disorder. It is likely that he will be able to resume his previous job with a mild loss of earning capacity.

...

81. As he is an untreated case of Delusional Disorder and is currently still suffering from significantly symptoms and impairment of the disorder, he is unable to resume his previous job.  Provided he is given the psychiatric treatment as recommended in the next Section, after six months of treatment, he should be able to resume his previous job.  The treatment will continue for another six months after he has resumed his previous job.  As such, on psychiatric grounds, I recommend granting him sick leave from the day of the accident to until he has received the recommended psychiatric treatment for six months.”

37.鍾思源醫生則認為原告人曾患有適應障礙憂鬱情緒 (Adjustment Disorder with Depressive Mood),但這障礙已痊癒,原告人所稱他仍有的症狀,並不是精神科疾病所引致的。現節錄鍾醫生意見的原文如下:

“36. Mr. MOK has complained of depressed mood, irritability, bad temper, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, lack of confidence, pessimistic ideas, lack of interest in sex and activities, suicidal idea, poor memory, impaired concentration, sleep problems and nightmares. The symptoms are compatible with the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood (DSM-IV-TR code no. is 309.0)

37. Adjustment disorder is characterised by the development of emotional or behavioural symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor(s) occurring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor(s). The stressors causing the adjustment disorder are the accident, worries about the ear symptoms, problem of returning to work and financial difficulty. All the stressors are related to the accident. I believe the adjustment disorder is wholly caused by the accident and is consistent with the circumstances of the accident. He has not suffered from pre‑existing mental problems.

...

38.3 He complains of many mental symptoms in the present interview. Objective signs of significant depression are not elicited in the present examination. I believe the current mental symptoms are normal psychological reaction in response to the stressors of unemployment and its attendant psychosocial adversities.

38.4 I have read all the psychiatric note from the first consultation on 24 July 2012 to the last one on 19 February 2014. He complained of irritability, sleep disturbance and nightmares in the first consultation. The only mental symptom revealed to the psychiatrist is nightmares in all the subsequent sessions. I need to point out that he has complained of much less mental symptoms to the public psychiatrist than to us.

38.5 Both expert ear, nose and throat surgeons are of the same opinion that there is no medical ground to support Mr. MOK’s complaint of persistent ear pain which is exacerbated when coming into contact with water. I am of the view that such complaints cannot be explained from the psychiatric perspective.

38.6 I conclude that Mr. MOK has mostly recovered from the adjustment disorder. He is suffering from mild residual mental symptoms currently.

39. ... He is mentally fit to perform all activities of daily living and housework. He does not need to avoid any activities from the psychiatric point of view.

40. I believe he is mentally fit to return to the pre-accident job as a lifeguard and persist at the job. He is fit to work as a kitchen worker, construction worker, security guard of any jobs appropriate to his background should he wish to change occupation. Any adverse effects of the mental problems on his work efficiency would be slight.

...

42. He has undergone appropriate psychiatric treatment in the public sector for about two years. I believe his mental condition has reached maximum medical improvement. The treatment could be tailed off in six months. He has to be advised on coping strategies to adjust to the injury and deal with his problems. The only medication required is a sleeping pill on a need basis. The frequency of visit is once every one to two months. He is mentally fit to work during the period of psychiatric treatment. The treatment is available in the public sector. It is appropriate for him to continue the treatment in the public sector as the treatment has been reasonably carried out and his mental condition has shown improvement after the treatment. The cost of treatment by public psychiatrist is around $1,000 for six months. The cost in the private sector, including medication, is around $15,000 for six months.

...

87. I do not agree with Dr. Wong on the diagnosis of delusional disorder somatic type.  Delusions are fixed, false beliefs, strongly held and immutable in the face of refuting evidence, that are not consonant with the person’s developmental, educational, social, and cultural background. Thus, delusional thoughts can only be understood or evaluated with at least some knowledge of patients’ interpersonal worlds.  I agree with Dr. Wong that Mr. MOK is holding a fixed and false belief about the injured ear that are not consonant with the his developmental, educational and cultural background. However, it is not hard to perceive that the fixed belief is consonant with his current social circumstances – he is claiming damages for the injured ear.  The fixed belief would be beneficial for his claim.  It is common for people who are claiming compensation to have a fixed belief that their injured sites are giving rise to permanent symptoms despite medical findings to the contrary.  I believe the false belief is not a delusion because it is consonant with his current social circumstances.  It is likely that the false belief will subside after the conclusion of the litigation.”

原告人申索的內容

38.原告人申索的損害賠償可分為下列各項:

  (1)  專項損害賠償    
    (a)  醫療費用 $4,700.00  
    (b)  車費 $3,040.00  
    (c)  補品 $5,000.00  
  (2) 審訊前的收入損失和強積金損失 $1,309,770.00  
  (3) 審訊後的收入損失和強積金損失 $3,402,720.72  
  (4)  喪失謀生能力 $150,000.00  
  (5) 將來醫療支出 $88,000.00  
  (6)  痛楚、痛苦及失去生活樂趣 $450,000.00  

原告人的收入損失

39.原告人所追索的審訊前的收入損失和強積金損失是這樣計算出來的:原告人在受傷時的月薪為19,200元,到審訊日期時(估計在54個月後),月薪估計為27,000元,兩者之間的中位數為23,100元。原告人聲稱他因為受傷,所以在審訊前一直不能返回原來的工作崗位或從事任何其他工作,於是他要求的賠償是23,100元 x 54個月 x 105% = 1,309,770.00元。

40.至於審訊後的收入損失和強積金損失,原告人提出的計算方法是這樣的:原告人聲稱,根據黃重光醫生的意見,他需要接受6個月的精神科治療才可以重新開始工作。原告人認為,即使接受治療後,他也只能從事需要較少體力勞動的工作,他估計這種工作的工資不會超過每月7,280元(即35元x 8小時x 26天)。他採用13.51作為乘數,所追索的賠償為:

(1)在審訊後首6個月的損失:27,000元 x 6個月 x 105% = 170,100.00元;

(2)審訊後首6個月以後的損失:(27,000元-7,280元)x(13.51 x 12-6)x 105% = 3,232,620.72元。

所以這項申索的總數為3,402,720.72元。

41.本席接納原告人在2011年期間每月的平均工資約為19,200元。本庭需要決定的主要事項,是原告人何時可以復工。在這問題上,法庭需要根據所有證據而作出裁決。病假證明書只是其中一項證據,在本訴訟中對法庭並無約束力:見 Tam Fu Yip Fip v Sincere Engineering & Trading Co Ltd [2008] 5 HKLRD 210。

42.兩位耳鼻喉專科專家醫生均認為原告人的病假應該到2011年9月20日而止。根據仁濟醫院耳鼻喉專科主診醫生們的紀錄,自2011年9月20日後,原告人每次覆診均要求病假。從精神科中心覆診紀錄可以看到,精神科醫生給予原告人的病假證明書只是因為他出席覆診。從紀錄亦可以看出,瑪嘉烈醫院精神科中心的主診醫生(譚詠康醫生)並不認為原告人需要繼續獲取病假。

43.客觀的事實是,原告人的左耳膜雖然因為這次事件受到局部的創傷性穿孔,但醫療紀錄顯示,到了2011年9月份,這創傷已經復原。從2011年9月20日後,原告人的聽力測試及電腦掃描都顯示一切正常,耳鏡測試亦正常。兩位耳鼻喉科專家醫生均一致認為,沒有客觀證據可以支持原告人在2011年9月後的聽力仍然受損。他們也一致認為,沒有醫學上的理由可支持原告人說他的左耳觸水後會更加疼痛。他們也不相信在沒有永久性的創傷下,原告人被人用拳擊傷可帶來如此長期的痛楚。

44.原告人認為他直至審訊時仍然有受傷的症狀,特別是耳鳴和耳痛,而且據他說,他的左耳沾到水後,痛楚會加劇。因此,他認為他的左耳不能再沾到水,而這亦代表他不能再從事救生員或在游泳池的工作。原告人在接受盤問時承認,他在日間並不再有他所稱的耳鳴,所以耳鳴問題並不直接影響他的工作能力。

45.經考慮所有案情和證據後,本席認為原告人供詞中的疑點甚多,不可盡信。原告人在作供時堅稱,他對各醫生均有報告自己聽到「wee wee」的聲音,可是絕大部份的醫療紀錄,皆沒有記述原告人曾投訴有耳嗚或聽到不尋常的聲響。

46.原告人質疑某些醫生缺乏醫德,沒有記錄他的病情,亦質疑醫療紀錄的準確性。可是原告人的主診醫生都是醫管局醫院的醫生,他們一般都是中立及持平的,亦沒有理由故意作出對原告人不利的醫療紀錄。

47.本席亦留意到不止一次有主診醫生認為原告人誇大他的症狀。

48.原告人在被盤問時聲稱,仁濟醫院的醫生一直沒有把醫療的診斷或結果告訴他。本席認為原告人的指稱實在令人難以相信。

49.從醫療紀錄亦可看出,由2011年9月起,雖然主診醫生多次提議轉介,但原告人從來沒有往痛症診所求診。他在接受盤問時解釋,原因是醫生並沒有給他轉介信。當被問到他為甚麼不向醫生索取轉介信時,原告人並沒有合理的解釋,只是說:「醫生大晒吖嘛!」

50.同樣,原告人也否認他在2011年10月31日那次覆診時拒絕作聽力測試。

51.本席認為原告人的證供跟醫療紀錄有嚴重出入,並不可信。

52.原告人就2011年11月3日電腦掃描的結果被盤問時,突然提出他的律師曾告訴他,電腦掃描的結果顯示他的頭部有一個小腫瘤。可是,醫療紀錄顯示,經電腦掃描後並無發現原告人的頭部有異樣,而且原告人亦從未在他的書面證人陳述書中提到發現頭部有腫瘤。當被問到他的證人陳述書為何沒有提及腫瘤時,原告人只是說,證人陳述書並不是由他撰寫的。

53.根據仁濟醫院的紀錄,醫生亦曾建議把原告人轉介到臨床心理學家,可是原告人並不願意。對此,原告人矢口否認,認為醫療紀錄並不真確。

54.此外,原告人在本訴訟中依賴黃重光醫生的判斷,認為原告人有身心性妄想症。黃醫生並認為原告人經過6個月的對症治療後,應該可以痊癒及復出工作。可是,原告人從沒有把黃醫生的診斷和建議告訴給他在醫管局醫院的主診醫生。如果原告人真的有他所聲稱的症狀,而他又真的相信黃醫生的診斷的話,為甚麼他不向醫管局醫院的醫生提出,要求接受針對該症狀的治療呢?本席認為原告人並未能就此提出合理解釋。

55.黃醫生在專家意見書第61段指出,原告人向他說抗抑鬱藥對他的病情有極大幫助。如果原告人的症狀當真如他所說的嚴重,他理應尋求用別的抗抑鬱藥繼續治療,而不是因對某一款藥產生皮膚敏感便放棄。

56.本席考慮了兩位精神科專家醫生的意見。黃醫生的意見是基於他完全接納原告人的投訴,並推斷原告人全無誇大他的情況。可是,經審訊後,本席並不能接受這前提。正如上面所述,原告人的證供不盡不實,醫院的主診醫生亦認為他誇大症狀。而且正如鍾醫生在專家意見書第87段所指出,原告人認為自己有持續耳患,有可能是因為他正在訴訟中追討賠償,不一定是因為患有身心性妄想症。考慮各事實及醫療證據後,本席認為第二被告人的精神科專家鍾醫生的意見較符合及貼近本案證據顯示的事實,因此本席接納該意見。

57.本席認為,在2011年9月20日後,原告人已有能力復工。再加上一個月的覓職時間,原告人因受傷而損失的收入應不超過4個月的工資及強積金,即19,200元 x 4 x 105% =   80,640元。

痛楚、痛苦及失去生活樂趣的損害賠償

58.原告人的這項申索為450,000元,本席認為這申索額過高。本席同意王大律師的說法,在沒有客觀證據,證明原告人有連續性的受傷下,當原告人聲稱長期因傷,直至正常復原時期以外,仍感到痛楚,法庭必須格外小心:見Butler v Blaylock [1981] BCJ No 31。

59.本席參考了王大律師提出的案例,包括 Amrol v Rivera [2008] 4 HKLRD 110 和其中第85段所述的案例,以及 Wong  Fung Nui v Leung Yat Ho (unreported, DCPI 455/2006, 2007年11月2日)。這兩個案例中的傷害和本案的原告人所受的傷害類似,而當時所判予傷者的痛楚、痛苦及失去生活樂趣的損害賠償均為80,000元。考慮到這些案例距今已有一段時間,所以本席認為原告人應獲得的痛楚、痛苦及失去生活樂趣的損害賠償為100,000元。

收入能力損失

60.從上述的討論可以看出,即使假設他還有少許耳鳴或耳痛,原告人並沒有實質上顯著喪失收入能力,因此本席同意第二被告人在這方面提出的賠償額,即30,000元。

醫療及其他費用

61.在審訊期間,王大律師代表第二被告人同意原告人的醫療支出為4,700元。根據原告人的證供,他的交通費用應該大約為2,500元,而非經編正的損害陳述書所述的3,040元。至於補品開支,由於原告人所受的損害並不嚴重,本席認為2,500元是較合理的數目。

將來醫療開支

62.根據鍾醫生的意見,原告人繼續在醫管局醫院接受6個月的精神科治療是適當的,因此本席接受第二被告人提出的1,000元作為原告人的將來醫療開支。

結論

63.根據上述的基礎,原告人在這個普通法損害賠償的訴訟中,所應得的損害賠償總額為221,340元(即80,640元 + 100,000元+ 30,000元 + 4,700元 + 2,500元 + 2,500元 + 1,000元)。這總數並不超過他已收取的僱員補償金額,因此,他的申索應被撤銷。

64.本席頒下暫准訟費命令,原告人須支付第二被告人在本訴訟中的訟費,數額由聆案官釐定。除非任何一方在本判決頒布後的28天內申請更改這訟費命令,否則這暫准命令將成為絕對命令。

  (林雲浩)
  高等法院原訟法庭法官

原告人:無律師代表,親自應訊

第一被告人:無律師代表,缺席聆訊

第二被告人:曾宇佐陳遠翔律師行轉聘王志光大律師代表