Tit for tat lawsuit over comic's death
By Liu Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-12-18 09:15

A compensation wrangle which erupted after one of the country's most popular comedians died in a road accident has resulted in a virtual draw.

Niu Zhenhua, 48, died after his car ploughed into the back of a lorry in May in Beijing. The comic was drunk and speeding at the time of the accident.

His family had sued the owner of the lorry, but following two hearings before Beijing's Haidian District People's Court they ended up out of pocket.

The family had claimed 266,000 yuan (US$32,100) in financial support for Niu's daughter and funeral expenses.

But the court ruled the comic was 90 per cent to blame for the accident.

Accordingly it ordered Niu's family to pay 44,700 yuan (US$5,400) to the lorry owner for damage and loss of earnings, while the haulier, judged 10 per cent to blame, was ordered to pay compensation of 42,300 yuan (US$5,100) to the family.

"In total, Niu's family members owe the truck driver's boss 2,400 yuan (US$300) according to the verdict," said Judge Liu Wei.

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