Taiwan Family Feud: Dishwashing Dispute Leads to Legal Battle and Unexpected Health Claims

A seemingly mundane disagreement over dishwashing escalates into a lawsuit involving physical harm and complex medical issues in Taiwan.

A woman in Taiwan, identified as Ms. Zhang, filed a lawsuit against her son-in-law, Mr. Fan, alleging a physical altercation during a dishwashing incident. The incident, which occurred in Hsinchu, led to claims of physical injury and subsequent health complications.

Ms. Zhang's complaint detailed that on March 2, 2023, at approximately 8:30 PM, she was washing dishes at Mr. Fan’s residence in Hsinchu County. A dispute arose over family matters, leading to Mr. Fan allegedly bumping into her from behind. Ms. Zhang claimed this caused her to experience bruising and chest pain, along with other subsequent health issues. She attributed these problems to the incident, including the prolapse of her uterus, bladder, and rectum. Consequently, Ms. Zhang sought NT$6.5 million in damages.

The Hsinchu District Court, after reviewing the evidence, concluded that most of the health issues presented by Ms. Zhang were not directly caused by Mr. Fan's actions. The court awarded Ms. Zhang NT$30,578 for medical expenses and NT$70,000 for emotional distress, totaling NT$100,578.