Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court began hearing the appeal on Tuesday of a 27-year-old woman who was left partially disabled by an injury she suffered on the subway.

According to the Beijing Times, the unnamed woman fell over on a subway train when the emergency brake was applied during her morning commute on Jan 14, 2015.

She fractured the base of her skull and was in hospital for more than two weeks. In November that year, she was assessed to be partially disabled — affecting her ability to work, study and socialize.

In the original trial, the subway corporation was ordered to pay 117,000 yuan ($17,000) compensation, as it was adjudged to be 90 percent responsible for the woman's injuries.

The corporation refused to accept the result of judgment and launched an appeal.

"She was playing on her cell phone and not holding on to the handrail when the accident occurred," the corporation said in a statement.

The woman, meanwhile, is seeking increased compensation of 240,000 yuan.

"My daughter was hurt because of the train's emergency braking, so they should shoulder the whole responsibility," her father was quoted as saying.

Shi Huilin contributed to this story.