A man who suffered intestinal perforation after a go-kart accident in southern Vietnam in 2015 was awarded US$3,500 in damages from the company that operated the attraction.

The company was sued for operating a poorly designed race track and failing to provide the necessary equipment to protect players in the event of an accident.

The lawsuit was filed by Pham Minh Luan, 25, against the Vung Tau Cable Car Company, the owner of Ho May Park in Vung Tau City, a beach town in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, where the racing game took place.

The case was brought before the People’s Court of Vung Tau on Wednesday, where Luan demanded that the company pay VND90 million ($3,900) in compensation for the health and mental impact he suffered from the accident.

According to Luan’s lawsuit, he and a group of friends from Ho Chi Minh City arrived at Ho May Park on June 28, 2015 for a weekend outing.

In the afternoon that same day, Luan went go-karting at the park’s race track and was involved in an accident when his car hit the lane divider on his third lap.

The accident caused his stomach to hit the steering wheel, leading to intestinal perforation that required hospital treatment.

After the accident, Luan demanded that the Vung Tau Cable Car Company pay VND363 million ($16,000) in compensation, which the company refused.

At Wednesday’s trial, Luan’s legal representative argued that the race track’s design was faulty and the go-karts used in the game failed to meet established technical standards.

Drivers were not provided with appropriate safety gear to protect their abdomens in the event of an accident, the plaintiff claimed.

Luan’s lawyers also pointed out that activity was not included in the approved design of Ho May Park.

Meanwhile, the defendant maintained that Luan was entirely at fault, noting that he had deliberately broken rules by participating while under the influence of alcohol, despite game ushers’ warning him against playing.

After considering evidence from both sides, the presiding judges granted Luan’s claim for compensation, but found the man partially responsible for the accident by having neglected safety guidelines.

In total, the Vung Tau Cable Car Company was made to pay VND81 million ($3,500) of the VND90 million ($3,900) Luan had been seeking for their failure to guarantee players’ safety.

Players enjoy go-karting at Ho May Park in Vung Tau City in this promotional photo posted on the park's official website. Photo: Ho May Park

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