A man in central China achieved success in a legal battle against his insurance provider which denied his claim despite his severe burns incurred while bravely rescuing his mother, wife, and son from a burning house.
The case came under the spotlight in early May when the website administered by China’s Supreme People’s Court relayed the details of the verdict.
In January last year, the man, surnamed Yang, was at his friend’s home in Hubei province when he heard that a small wooden house in the yard had caught fire, with his mother, wife, and son all inside.
Yang immediately charged into the fire and saved them all, but received serious burns in multiple places on his body during the process.
After receiving medical treatment, the insurance company refused to pay Yang’s claim, saying his burns were caused by his own actions rather than an accident. Yang had received accident insurance from his employer.
Yang was not impressed and took the insurance company, which was not identified in the report, to court.
During the proceedings, lawyers representing the two parties argued about whether his injuries were self-inflicted.
The court said the insurer did not give a clear definition in the insurance policy about how to handle injuries caused by a person’s actions, especially because Yang was not engaging in self-harm.
Moreover, the court pointed out that the company’s instinct to refuse Yang’s claim did not correspond with positive social customs advocated by the authorities.
Therefore, the court ordered the insurer to compensate Yang 580,000 yuan (US$80,000).
The company subsequently filed an appeal, but a higher court upheld the verdict.
“Putting out a fire to save relatives would be anyone’s instinct and is a social obligation stipulated by the Civil Code. We can not simply categorise the action as similar to self-harm or suicide,” said China’s Supreme People’s Court in its editorial published online.
“The law should not be cold and should have some warmth,” it added.
The case soon gained traction online in mainland China, with most internet users denouncing the insurance company.
“What’s the name of this insurer? Why not publish its name so that we can avoid being duped by it?” said one user on Douyin.
“This company is shameless. It should be punished severely,” said another person.
Another commented: “I side with the two courts. Well done!”
