Taiwan ocean carrier to pay motorcyclist $17.7 million

Taiwan ocean carrier to pay motorcyclist $17.7 million Taiwan-based ocean carrier Wai Hai Lines has been ordered by a California court to pay $17.7 million to a motorcyclist severely injured when the wife of a company executive struck the bike with a company car.
   The Superior Court jury deliberated two days before deciding that Wen-Ting Tai, wife of the line's U.S. president, Ching Tarng Lin, was 95 percent at fault for the October 2004 accident. The panel said plaintiff Joyson Mallabo, was 5 percent at fault.
   “Anytime a plaintiff is on a motorcycle, the jury will find them somewhat at fault, just because they’re on a motorcycle,” Mallabo lawyer David M. Ring explained to the Associated Press.
   Mallabo, 27, was struck by Wen-Ting Tai when she turned left in front of him at an uncontrolled Cerritos intersection. He suffered massive injuries and must now use a cane to walk. The accident occurred four days after Tai had failed a California driver's license road test.
   The jury decided Wan Hai Lines must pay Mallabo for medical bills, lost wages and for past and future pain and suffering.
   Tai moved to United States when her husband was transferred to the company’s Long Beach office from Taiwan.
   California law allows drivers to rely on foreign licenses as long as they don’t move permanently.
   Established in 1965, Wan Hai operates a fleet of 66 vessels, calling at most major Asian ports, the Middle East and the U.S. West Coast. The line's America subsidiary is headquartered in Phoenix.