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The Judge ruled that the platform breached the Government’s code of practice and failed to provide a safe working system and effective communication during adverse weather.
Food delivery platform foodpanda has been ordered by Hong Kong’s High Court to pay HK$1.348mn in compensation to a delivery rider who was injured while working under Typhoon Signal No. 8 (T8) five years ago, according to a judgement issued on 3 September 2025.
The incident occurred on 18 August 2020, when Farooq Ahmed Khan, the then-48-year-old South Asian motorcycle courier, was injured while riding home after completing his final delivery – just 18 minutes after the T8 warning was issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. He claimed he was unaware of the impending signal when he set off.
He was allegedly knocked off his motorcycle by a sudden strong gust of wind, resulting in injuries to his back, right knee, and right fingers. He was granted 785 days of sick leave by the doctors and therapists at the public hospitals. He also reported facing depression, loss of interest in his surroundings, and recurring flashbacks and nightmares related to the accident.
foodpanda’s counsel argued that the platform had issued adequate weather warnings to riders via Telegram, and that riders were at liberty not to accept orders depending on their own circumstances.
However, Deputy High Court Judge Andrew Li rejected this defense, calling it “totally disingenuous” and “against common sense and in direct conflict with the employment contract terms”, noting that riders are often busiest during adverse weather, and their income and performance ratings depend on order volume.
The Judge concluded that foodpanda was in breach of the Typhoon Code of Practice issued by the Government, and had failed to provide a safe working system and effective communication, thereby exposing riders to unnecessary risk of injury.
foodpanda was held 80% liable for the accident, while the rider was liable in contributory negligence to the extent of 20%. The platform has been ordered to pay HK$1,348,209 in compensation to the rider.
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