A police officer injured in a July 1, 2020 attack is seeking more than HK$310,000 in civil damages from the man convicted over the stabbing. The reported claim includes HK$220,000 for pain, suffering and loss of amenities, HK$90,000 in medical expenses, and additional claims for aggravated and punitive damages.
The officer told the damages hearing that he was surrounded by more than 10 people and felt sudden pain and weakness in his left shoulder. He later saw that blood had soaked about half his uniform. He said he feared he might die during the attack and felt humiliated at being assaulted in public.
The torn shoulder muscle required surgery, followed by 15 physiotherapy sessions. The officer said he paid HK$95,000 himself for private hospital surgery and treatment. After the injury, he had reduced movement and strength in his shoulder and did not return to frontline duties. Although he said he had fully recovered by 2022, he remained in back-office work and felt a loss at being unable to do the operational work he preferred.
The defendant admitted rioting and wounding with intent in 2022 and was sentenced to five years in prison.
The judge questioned why aggravated and punitive damages had been added so late in the case. The application was provisionally allowed after the judge considered that the papers had been served and the defendant would not be prejudiced; the amount of any such damages remains to be decided. The judge also criticised the earlier claim of about HK$1 million, saying its scale and late reduction could discourage settlement and waste court time. The officer is no longer seeking damages for pre-trial income loss or permanent loss of earning capacity and promotion prospects.
The judge reserved judgment, which was expected to be delivered within three months.