Teen loses kidney after falling into manhole
The mother of a teenager, who lost a kidney after falling into an uncovered manhole, is taking legal action against the local council.
MCA Youth legal bureau chief Ng Kian Nam said he and a team of lawyers from the bureau will be assisting the family of 15-year-old Lim Wei Teck in claiming compensation.
"We have been informed of the chronology and the facts of the incident and have finalised all the possible claim matters," Mr Ng said on Sunday (Feb 21).
"We have the mandate from the family to initiate legal action against the Klang Municipal Council ( MPK).
"We will be issuing them a letter of demand in March after receiving a medical report from the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR)."
The Star reported that Wei Teck had to have one of his kidneys removed after rupturing it when he fell into the uncovered manhole, about 1.8m deep, at about 6.45am on Jan 27.
He was walking to his school at SMK Batu Unjur after having breakfast with three other schoolmates when the incident happened.
MPK had taken swift action by covering up the manholes.
Mr Ng noted that the claims would be made in two parts, stressing on the matter of liability of the incident, which took place at a pedestrian walkway under the maintenance and jurisdiction of MPK.
"We are of the view that MPK has the full duty of care and liability in this incident.
"Another important part of the claim are the special and general damages. This part is important to remind MPK, as the local council, of its duty to ensure the safety of its areas under its care,'' he said.
Wei Teck’s mother, Madam May Tok, 44, said it saddened her when her son asked how much it cost to have a kidney transplant.
"His post-surgery wounds are still recovering and he is still on medical leave from school until the end of the month," she said.
"Although he looks fine now, I could feel that he is worried about his future.
"We have not really spoken about a transplant but if the need arises, I will be with him supporting him all the way,'' said the single mother, who has two other sons aged 10 and 23.
Klang MCA Youth chief Tee Hooi Ling (below at the manhole the teen fell into) said MPK has covered all 27 manholes with concrete slabs at the area after the incident.
''But this is not the best solution because the slabs were at least two-inch higher than the ground and could still pose a danger to pedestrians," she said.
''We hope MPK will solve the problem soon."
Source: The Star
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