Caddy Blinded by Golf Ball; Wealthy Golfer Offers 500 Baht
A 32-year-old caddy named Joy was permanently blinded in her right eye when a golfer's errant shot struck her at a Rangsit-area course on October 13. The wealthy golfer, who drives a luxury red-plate vehicle, offered only 500 baht in initial compensation and insisted on splitting the 65,000 baht medical bill, while never visiting Joy in the hospital. Joy has engaged lawyer Rachapol to pursue a negligence claim before a November 10 police mediation, fearing she will be disadvantaged without legal representation.
A female caddy is seeking legal help after being hit in the eye by a golfer's errant shot, leaving her blind, while the other party — who drives a luxury red-plate car — offered only 500 baht in initial compensation and demanded she split the medical costs.
On November 7 at 2:00 PM at lawyer Rachapol's office in Mueang district, Nonthaburi, 32-year-old Joy, a caddy at a golf course in the Rangsit area, explained that she was struck in the right eye socket by a golf ball hit by the other party, fracturing the socket and her nose and causing permanent blindness in that eye. The incident occurred on October 13 at approximately 5:30 PM.
After the incident, the other party — a person of status who drives a luxury red-plate vehicle — was reluctant to provide full assistance. Medical expenses totaled 65,000 baht, yet the other party insisted the injured party pay half, while giving Joy's boyfriend only 500 baht as preliminary consolation money. Joy therefore consulted lawyer Rachapol for legal assistance, fearing she would not receive justice.
Joy, the caddy who lost her eye, revealed she came to consult lawyer Rachapol after the other party's golf ball struck her eye socket, blinding her. The event happened on October 13 around 5:00 PM while she was working as a caddy for the other party's women's team. Because the other party was not ready, having forgotten something, Joy teed off first. When the other party finished and hit the first shot, the ball flew straight into Joy's right eye socket before she could react. She did not realize what had hit her until blood splattered. She recalled a fellow caddy trying to apply an ice pack to stop the bleeding.
The other party only walked over to observe the incident afterward, without speaking to Joy. Even while she was hospitalized, the other party never visited or spoke to her. Doctors reported the eye socket injury was severe, resulting in permanent blindness, with surgery costs of 65,000 baht. The other party told Joy's boyfriend to split the medical costs equally, but the boyfriend could only raise 15,000 baht, leaving the other party to pay the remaining 50,000 baht.
Joy added that throughout her hospitalization, the other party never visited or contacted her. She still must attend follow-up appointments, paying over a thousand baht per visit herself, while being unable to work and earn income. Yet the other party, despite driving a luxury red-plate car, claims to have no money for treatment and says they had to borrow funds. Additionally, the other party gave Joy's boyfriend only 500 baht for travel and time spent visiting her.
Joy fears that at the mediation scheduled for November 10, led by an investigator from Pak Klong Rangsit Police Station, she and her boyfriend — who lack legal knowledge — will be at a disadvantage against the other party, prompting her to seek lawyer Rachapol's help.
Lawyer Rachapol stated this case falls under negligence causing bodily injury, which carries both imprisonment and fines. Other damages include medical expenses, loss of organ, loss of income from inability to work, and other related damages. In this case, the victim has lost an eye and faces ongoing medical costs. The lawyer affirmed he will assist with the case to ensure the victim receives the maximum possible justice.
