Seoul’s subway operator should pay compensation to a man who lost five toes in an escalator accident at a subway station, a local court ruled Monday.

The man, surnamed Oh, filed a lawsuit against Seoul Metro after he lost five toes in an escalator accident at Yeoksam Station in 2011. The company ― which runs the city’s subway lines Nos. 1-4 ― refuted Oh’s claims by saying Oh was responsible for the accident since he had been walking down the escalator without holding the handle while counting money.

Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Oh, and ordered Seoul Metro to pay him 66 million won ($59,929) to compensate for his injury.

“Safety supervisors at a station have the responsibility to conduct thorough safety inspections and maintenance on facilities used by many people,” the court said in its ruling. “While Oh did walk down the escalator and was not mindful of the steps, his action cannot be regarded as something completely outside the norm. (The officials) should have anticipated such action would take place and made sure that it would not lead to an accident.”

But the court said the company was only 80 percent responsible for the accident, since it would have been avoidable if Oh had paid closer attention to his actions.

By Yoon Min-sik()


minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com