I got beat up badly/disfigured in LKF by local HK people. Compensation?

I'm an expat with out health insurance. I unfortunately accidentally bumped into someone on the street in LKF and three people started to beat me up because they could. They were arrested.

I had my left face very badly fractured(cheek bone destroyed) and my nose broken. But since I would technically live, the public HK hospital didn't perform any facial surgeries and therefore released me.

I went ahead with the help of a friend do the reconstructive facial surgery. It cost 160k HKD. My face was so damaged they could only put a metal plate into my face to help minimize further damage. I'm still disfigured and would need more surgeries to fix my face.

As of right now I can't afford a civil suit but someone mentioned to me that the government might compensate me. Or is the civil suit my only option and if so, is there a statute of limitations?

Does anybody know any information about this or can point me in the right direction?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

why you didn't fight back? too drunk?

Hi,

You may want to get in touch with HK Government's Legal Aid dept as well a HK Law Society as they may direct you to a free legal advice service run by them (I think it is law society) as well as some lawyers who are willing to take Pro Bono. Community Advice Bureau could give you # of these organizations and more accurate info.

I have heard some other incidents like yours including rape and con artists taking money/cards/phones and much more. A lot goes on in LKF then we hear about it, specially after midnight.

Hope this helps.

If you haven't found anyone yet, check out http://www.choosehklawyer.org/en/index.asp - it's an index of law firms that offer a free consultation (which honestly, most will anyway to see if you have a case). Good luck.

https://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_criminalan/

The above link should take you to a Social Welfare Dept website that specifically deals with compensation for victims of crime. I do not for one minute think the process will be quick, or that you will receive full compensation but it's worth a shot.
Legal redress through civil action will be time consuming and cost large amounts of money that you state you do not have; Legal Aid would be the best starting point if you can prove to them that you have a legitimate claim but no funds with which to move forward.
I wish you the best of luck but remember that the legal system here has changed since the handover.

You need to queue up and there is time limitation to each "free" consultation but they might point you in the right direction. It's free.

Good luck

http://www.dutylawyer.org.hk/en/free/legal.asp