Abused Hong Kong maid Erwiana files damages claim against jailed former employer
Former domestic helper's claim for damages comes two weeks after cruel employer jailed
Indonesian domestic helper Erwiana Sulistyaningsih has submitted a claim for injuries inflicted by her jailed former employer, seeking an unspecified amount of damages.
Erwiana filed her claim yesterday with the District Court, more than two weeks after beautician Law Wan-tung was sentenced to six years for starving and beating Erwiana and abusing another helper, Tutik Lestari Ningsih.
Erwiana's lawyers said in the writ: "The plaintiff's claim is for damages, aggravated damages and exemplary damages, for personal injury, loss and damage sustained in the course of her employment."
The injuries she suffered were caused by assault and battery, false imprisonment, negligence and breach of employment contract, all of which took place at Law's Tseung Kwan O home between May 31, 2013, and January 9 last year, her legal team added.
Melville Boase, a lawyer representing Erwiana, said now that the criminal case was over, "we must try to get some compensation to try to make up for the eight months of misery and pain that Erwiana suffered".
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The District Court can hear claims of up to HK$1 million.