Man Fined S$3,000 for Causing Grievous Hurt to Colleague During Massage

In a recent case in Singapore, a 32-year-old man named Ng Jian Ye Eugene was fined S$3,000 for injuring his colleague during a massage in their office. Ng admitted to causing grievous hurt through an act that endangered the personal safety of another individual after he twisted the victim's neck while he was on a phone call, which led to significant neck pain and ultimately a diagnosis of cervical strain.

Ng's defense team emphasized his background in wushu and experience as a Muay Thai coach, asserting that he had previously helped colleagues with massages. On the day of the incident, Ng approached the victim from behind and performed what he described as a routine neck adjustment, which he claimed was part of the massages he regularly gave upon request. However, the victim did not realize the injury until after the call ended when he experienced discomfort and later sought medical attention, revealing that he had suffered a sprain.

Following further examinations, including an MRI, the victim was found to have multiple levels of disc desiccation, confirming that he did not have any pre-existing conditions prior to the incident. Consequently, he was placed on medical leave, with a later assessment revealing a "15 per cent permanent incapacity." Despite objections from the employer regarding the assessment of permanent incapacity, the situation was classified as a workplace accident, potentially leading to compensation claims.

In court, the defense presented a letter from a mutual acquaintance of the victim, who claimed he appeared normal a month after the event. However, the Deputy Public Prosecutor dismissed this evidence, arguing that it lacked credibility and emphasized that the medical documentation was the most accurate reflection of the victim's condition. The case highlighted the risks associated with untrained individuals administering massages in a workplace setting, underscoring that actions leading to grievous injuries, even in informal contexts, could result in significant legal repercussions.