KWIZERA v RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

KWIZERA v RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

The Supreme Court held that self-employed persons such as motorcycle taxi drivers who provide credible evidence of their profession and typical income (here, 2,400,000 Frw/year) should have compensation for economic loss calculated on that basis, with deductions for income tax (72,000 Frw) and patent tax (8,000...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RLR V.2-2025
Parties
Applicant: Kwizera Eric; Respondent: Radiant Insurance Company Ltd
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
18 May 2023
Case Number
RS/INJUST/RC 00014/2022/SC
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (insurance Accident Compensation) / Supreme Court Review on Grounds of Injustice
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; High Court decision modified as to economic damages only.
Legal Topics
Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation, Calculation of Economic Damages, Compensation for Self Employed Persons, Application of Minimum Wage (smig), Burden of Proof for Income, Deduction of Taxes From Compensation
Source Language
rw
Civil Law Insurance Law Tort Law Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Calculation of Economic Damages Compensation for Self Employed Persons Application of Minimum Wage (smig) Burden of Proof for Income +1 more

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Parties

Kwizera Eric

Applicant

Radiant Insurance Company Ltd

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (insurance Accident Compensation) / Supreme Court Review on Grounds of Injustice

  1. 1 How should economic damages for a self-employed motorcycle taxi driver be calculated after a disabling accident?
  2. 2 Is the minimum wage (SMIG) the correct basis for compensation when the applicant provides some evidence of higher income?
  3. 3 What deductions (taxes, patent fees) must be made from gross income in calculating net loss for compensation?

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that self-employed persons such as motorcycle taxi drivers who provide credible evidence of their profession and typical income (here, 2,400,000 Frw/year) should have compensation for economic loss calculated on that basis, with deductions for income tax (72,000 Frw) and patent tax (8,000 Frw), resulting in a net annual income of 2,320,000 Frw. The minimum wage (SMIG) is not applicable where such evidence exists. The Court recalculated the economic damages accordingly and awarded additional costs and fees as justified by the evidence.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; High Court decision modified as to economic damages only.

Orders

  • Radiant Insurance Company Ltd to pay Kwizera Eric 21,181,147 Frw as economic damages.
  • Radiant Insurance Company Ltd to pay 1,620,000 Frw for pretium doloris (pain and suffering).