BRITAM INSURANCE COMPANY RWANDA Limited v NDAHIMANA

BRITAM INSURANCE COMPANY RWANDA Limited v NDAHIMANA

Damages for loss of earning capacity cannot be awarded without proof that the claimant had employment or a source of income lost due to the accident. Since Ndahimana did not provide sufficient evidence of employment, the award for loss of earning capacity was overturned. Other damages were upheld as they were...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RCA 00066/2022/HC/NYZ
Parties
Appellant: BRITAM INSURANCE COMPANY RWANDA Limited; Respondent: NDAHIMANA Albert
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
29 September 2023
Case Number
RCA 00066/2022/HC/NYZ
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / High Court Appellate Judgment
Outcome
partially allowed appeal
Legal Topics
Compensation for Road Traffic Accidents, Damages for Loss of Earning Capacity, Burden of Proof in Civil Claims, Assessment of Damages
Source Language
rw
Civil Law Insurance Law Tort Law Compensation for Road Traffic Accidents Damages for Loss of Earning Capacity Burden of Proof in Civil Claims Assessment of Damages

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Parties

BRITAM INSURANCE COMPANY RWANDA Limited

Appellant

NDAHIMANA Albert

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / High Court Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether Ndahimana Albert was entitled to damages for loss of earning capacity (indishyi z'ibangamira ry'uburambe mu kazi) without proof of employment at the time of the accident
  2. 2 Whether other awarded damages were supported by evidence

Ratio Decidendi

Damages for loss of earning capacity cannot be awarded without proof that the claimant had employment or a source of income lost due to the accident. Since Ndahimana did not provide sufficient evidence of employment, the award for loss of earning capacity was overturned. Other damages were upheld as they were supported by evidence and within the court's discretion.

Court Disposition

partially allowed appeal

Orders

  • Award for loss of earning capacity (540,000 FRW) overturned and removed from judgment.
  • Britam Insurance Company Rwanda Limited ordered to pay Ndahimana Albert the remaining damages as awarded by the lower court, excluding loss of earning capacity.