Supporting a noodle shop owner with personal injury claims

Ms Chan, the owner of a small noodle shop in the New Territories, was being sued by a former female worker for employees' compensation and personal injuries. Ms Chan hired the worker for only 20 days in order to help her during the Covid pandemic.

Shortly after she finished the job, she came to Ms Chan's shop, claiming that she had an accident whilst working in her shop and threatened to sue her if she did not pay her compensation. Ms Chan felt she had no choice but to pay. Despite receiving compensation, the worker brought claims in the District Court against Ms Chan with the assistance of Legal Aid. Her medical certificates submitted contained inconsistencies casting doubt on whether the alleged injury was caused in Ms Chan's shop. Ms Chan unfortunately just fell outside the financial eligibility criteria for Legal Aid.

Equal Justice assisted Ms Chan to defend the case including drafting pleadings and witness statements. Equal Justice also assisted Ms Chan to ask Legal Aid to discharge the worker's legal aid certificates. Within several months of Equal Justice intervening, the worker withdrew her claims voluntarily, putting an end to Ms Chan's legal problem.