THE parents of a man who was reportedly killed by a cab driver took their son’s insurance company to court after the company refused to pay 750,000 yuan (US$123,000) in compensation for the death, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

    The man, surnamed Zhu, an ex-employee of a Shenzhen company, died during a business trip to Haikou on Aug. 10, 2013. Zhu was reportedly entangled in a conflict with the cab driver, surnamed Zhou, after the two disagreed about the cab fare.

    The cab’s meter indicated that Zhu should pay 10 yuan for his ride, but he was only willing to pay half, since he thought he only had ridden about 200 meters.

    Upon seeing Zhu’s reluctance to pay the bill, Zhou called police, but the two started fighting before police arrived at the scene.

    Zhu tried to run away after seeing Zhou take out a knife, but he tripped. He was stabbed in the abdomen by Zhou and died two days later after efforts to save him failed.

    Zhu’s insurance contract states that his parents can receive 750,000 yuan compensation in the event that he dies unexpectedly. But the insurance company, American International Group’s Shenzhen branch, refused to honor the contract because it said Zhu’s death had resulted from a fight he had instigated himself.

    Zhu’s parents then took the case to court. At the first trial, Luohu District People’s Court upheld Zhu’s parents’ claim and said there is no sufficient evidence supporting the insurance company’s claim.

    The insurance company, unsatisfied by the first trial, lodged an appeal to Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court. The company’s lawyer provided evidence supporting its claim with surveillance footage showing that Zhu had assaulted Zhou first.

    Zhu’s father did not accept the judge’s request for mediation between the two parties.

    The trial is ongoing.

    (Zhao Jie)