Chinese mahjong club owner pays US$2,800 over failed first aid, then gets refunded

A mahjong parlour owner in central China paid compensation of 19,000 yuan (US$2,800) following a failed first aid attempt on an elderly customer but received a refund after government intervention.On August 17, a man in his 60s, surnamed Luo, visited the mahjong parlour in Hunan province and passed out while resting in a chair.The shop’s owner, Xiao Aihua, sensed something was wrong with Luo and approached to administer first aid.Believing that Luo had suffered from heatstroke, she dragged him a few steps outside to provide him with fresh air.Surveillance footage captures the moment the elderly man, surnamed Luo, enters the mahjong parlour at 12.50pm on August 17. Photo: WeiboIn her panic, Xiao struggled to dial emergency numbers, prompting a neighbour to call an ambulance, which arrived within 10 minutes. A witness reported that Luo was still alive when the ambulance picked him up, but regrettably, he died later.Luo’s family reviewed the venue’s surveillance footage and claimed that Xiao’s first aid procedures were inadequate, arguing that she should be held responsible for Luo’s death.They emphasised that Luo was a regular patron of the mahjong club and believed that Xiao was liable for her customers’ safety.The family demanded compensation of 100,000 yuan from Xiao, threatening to display Luo’s body in front of her shop if she refused to pay.Seconds after walking in, Luo suddenly collapses and slumps into a chair near the entrance. Photo: WeiboXiao’s son noted that his mother was deeply distressed by Luo’s family’s claims, resulting in insomnia and dizziness.Concerned for his wife’s health, Xiao’s husband compensated the family with 19,000 yuan.The situation took a turn when Xiao’s family brought the matter to social media, drawing the attention of local authorities.The police conducted an investigation and concluded that Luo had died from a sudden illness, affirming that Xiao had acted out of goodwill in her attempts to assist him.According to China’s Civil Code, there is a “Good Samaritan” provision which protects individuals who voluntarily provide emergency assistance from civil liability if their actions inadvertently cause harm to the person they assist.Sensing something is wrong, parlour owner Xiao Aihua rushes over to administer emergency first aid. Photo: WeiboUnder government mediation, Luo’s son agreed to refund the full amount to Xiao.Further ReadingLuo’s son also acknowledged his mistake, stating: “I now understand that she does not need to compensate for things she did not do wrong.”Xiao’s family plans to donate part of the refunded amount to charity, expressing their commitment to continue helping others in the future, unaffected by this incident.“Compensating the deceased’s family could discourage people from helping others in the future,” commented an online observer.“Even though he refunded the money, restoring trust is difficult,” remarked another.