Choi Bo Min, a former member of Golden Child turned actor, has successfully won a damages lawsuit following a severe injury at a golf practice range. The accident occurred in September 2022, when Bo Min was struck in the face by a golf club swung by another individual, resulting in a facial fracture that halted his professional activities.
Court Ruling and Compensation
Last month, the Seoul Western District Court’s Civil Division 8 ruled in partial favor of Choi Bo Min in his case against both the individual responsible for the incident (‘A’) and the golf practice range operator (‘B’).
The court ordered ‘B’ to pay approximately 12 million KRW (~8,605 USD) to Bo Min, with 10.6 million KRW (~7,601 USD) of that amount to be jointly covered by ‘A.’ This decision has now been finalized.
Details of the Incident
The accident took place at a golf range in Deogyang-gu, Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province. Bo Min was using a kiosk in his booth when ‘A,’ swinging a golf club in the adjacent booth, accidentally struck him in the face. The booths were spaced 2.5 meters apart, and the injury resulted in a zygomaticomaxillary complex (cheekbone) fracture, forcing Bo Min to take a hiatus.
Court’s Analysis
The court determined that the golf range operator (‘B’) failed to meet safety standards, which contributed to the accident.
“Golf range operators must provide safe facilities that prevent risks to users,” the judge stated.
The judge outlined the following findings:
- While the spacing between booths met the regulatory requirement of 2.5 meters, there were no partitions or boundaries between the booths.
- The kiosk’s position near the adjacent booth created a high risk of users stepping into the swing radius of their neighbors.
- The operator failed in their duty of care by not implementing sufficient safety measures like partitions or screens.
The court also held ‘A’ partially responsible, noting that:
“‘A,’ a regular at the range, had previously struck someone’s cap while swinging, suggesting awareness that the spacing might be insufficient to prevent accidents.”
Choi Bo Min’s Partial Responsibility
The court found that Bo Min bore partial responsibility for not taking adequate safety precautions. It was ruled that:
- ‘A’ was 30% liable for the accident due to their failure to check their surroundings.
- Bo Min could have foreseen the risk given the booth setup and taken steps to avoid injury.
Compensation Breakdown
The court awarded Bo Min approximately 2 million KRW (~1,435 USD) for medical expenses and 10 million KRW (~7,173 USD) for emotional distress. However, his claim for 35 million KRW (~25,105 USD) in lost earnings from 12 missed contracts was denied. The court ruled there was insufficient evidence to link these losses directly to the incident.
This case highlights the need for strict adherence to safety standards in recreational facilities and personal vigilance to avoid preventable accidents.
To know the latest developments about Choi Bo Min, keep an eye on VvipTimes, and allow notifications from us to get instant updates on your device.
Source: www.lawtimes.co.kr
