Legal Battle Over Safety at Clementi West Street 2
A legal dispute is unfolding in Singapore’s State Courts after a woman, identified as Ms. Dong Lihua, filed a negligence lawsuit against the supermarket chain Sheng Siong and one of its employees. The suit stems from an incident on March 11, 2021, at the chain’s Clementi West Street 2 outlet, where Ms. Dong alleges she was struck from behind by a trolley loaded with multiple bags of rice.
According to her statement of claim, reported by Channel News Asia, Ms. Dong was grocery shopping at approximately 10:00 am when the collision occurred. She claims the employee, who was operating the trolley, was moving at an excessive speed and failed to keep a proper lookout. Ms. Dong alleges that the impact caused bruising, swelling, and an abrasion to her left foot, and further asserts that the incident aggravated pre-existing degenerative disc disease in her lower back, leading to chronic pain syndrome and depression.
The claimant is seeking S$9,309.74 in medical expenses and S$1,783.95 in transport costs, alongside unspecified damages for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, to be assessed by the court.
Sheng Siong Denies Liability
Sheng Siong has formally denied the allegations of negligence. In its defence, the company contends that the incident was caused, or at least contributed to, by Ms. Dong’s own actions. The supermarket operator alleges that Ms. Dong “suddenly emerged” from an aisle and placed herself in the path of the trolley while the employee was transporting rice to the fruit section. The company maintains that the claimant failed to take necessary precautions for her own safety and failed to avoid the accident.
Furthermore, Sheng Siong is challenging the nature and extent of the injuries claimed by Ms. Dong. The company argues that any losses or expenses incurred were not a result of negligence on its part or that of its staff, and further asserts that the claimant has failed to mitigate her losses.
Operational Standards Under Scrutiny
Beyond the specific facts of the collision, the lawsuit highlights broader questions regarding operational standards in high-volume retail environments. Ms. Dong’s legal team has argued that the supermarket failed to maintain adequate walkway space and did not properly train or supervise staff regarding the safe operation of heavy equipment like utility trolleys. The case, which is currently pending before the State Courts, will likely hinge on CCTV footage of the incident, which Ms. Dong claims exists, and the court’s assessment of whether the supermarket’s protocols were sufficient to ensure patron safety.