The Consumers’ Foundation yesterday announced it would launch a class-action lawsuit on behalf of people harmed in a food poisoning outbreak at a Polam Kopitiam (寶林茶室) restaurant in Taipei, and could demand compensation of more than NT$100 million (US$3.1 million).
Six people have died as a result of bongkrek acid poisoning after eating at a branch of the Malaysian restaurant chain in Taipei’s Xinyi District (信義) in March.
Twenty-four people affected by the food poisoning and the family members of the six deceased have said they would join the class-action lawsuit, foundation representatives told a news conference in Taipei.
Photo courtesy of the Consumers’ Foundation
In a forum on Thursday, the foundation explained to them the lawsuit process, their rights and the documents needed to proceed, Wu said, adding that others who were harmed in the incident are invited to contact the foundation before the end of next month to join the suit.
The foundation would file the suit as soon as it has gathered the necessary documentation and evidence from those affected, who can join the class-action lawsuit by giving the foundation consent to represent them through its commissioned lawyers, foundation secretary-general Hsu Tse-yu (徐則鈺) said.
The foundation has discussed legal strategies in three meetings with a pro bono lawyer group, foundation honorary chairwoman and lead lawyer on the case Joann Su (蘇錦霞) said.
The lawyers would also follow up on investigation reports on administrative and criminal liabilities to bolster their arguments for the class-action lawsuit, Su said.
The total amount of compensation demanded would probably exceed NT$100 million if they demand NT$20 million per death, foundation chairman Wu Jung-ta (吳榮達) said, adding that the suit would demand greater compensation for psychological damages.
However, the exact amount would be determined after the physical and mental conditions of the plaintiffs are examined, Wu said.
One of the affected, surnamed Huang (黃), said in a video call in the news conference that she feels weak even after being discharged from hospital, and is afraid that her physical condition might affect her work performance.
“The Polam Kopitiam restaurant should be held accountable,” she said, adding she has been reimbursed for medical expenses by the Taipei City Government and has received a NT$12,000 payment from Food Republic (大食代), the company that manages the food court where the branch operated.
The lawsuit would be filed against not only the restaurant and staff, but also Food Republic and the Far Eastern Department Store to seek compensation covered by the food court’s insurance policy, as the assets of the restaurant owners might not be sufficient, the foundation said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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