NIYONZIMA N’ABANDI v SANLAM ASSURANCE GÉNÉRALES Plc (Sanlam AG Plc)

NIYONZIMA N’ABANDI v SANLAM ASSURANCE GÉNÉRALES Plc (Sanlam AG Plc)

Adult children of the deceased are not entitled to loss of dependency damages unless they provide evidence of actual dependency at the time of death. The parent (Mbarubukeye) cannot introduce a new claim for damages at the review stage, as it was not raised at first instance. The mutual maintenance obligation under...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RS/INJUST/RC 00018/2022/SC
Parties
Applicant: Niyonzima Léonidas, Niyigena Feredisa, Ntawiha Evangeline, Muhawenimana Gloriose, Mbarubukeye Elisabeth, Nyirababirigi Espérance, Ntacyo Evariste, Nyirababeruka Evangeline; Respondent: Sanlam Assurance Générales Plc (Sanlam AG Plc)
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
27 January 2023
Case Number
RS/INJUST/RC 00018/2022/SC
Procedural Posture
Civil (tort/insurance) / Supreme Court Review on Grounds of Injustice
Outcome
partially allowed
Legal Topics
Compensation for Fatal Accidents, Obligation Alimentaire (maintenance), Standing for Damages, Review for Injustice, Procedural Limits on New Claims
Source Language
rw
Family Law Insurance Law Civil Procedure Compensation for Fatal Accidents Obligation Alimentaire (maintenance) Standing for Damages Review for Injustice Procedural Limits on New Claims

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Parties

Niyonzima Léonidas, Niyigena Feredisa, Ntawiha Evangeline, Muhawenimana Gloriose, Mbarubukeye Elisabeth, Nyirababirigi Espérance, Ntacyo Evariste, Nyirababeruka Evangeline

Applicant

Sanlam Assurance Générales Plc (Sanlam AG Plc)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil (tort/insurance) / Supreme Court Review on Grounds of Injustice

  1. 1 Whether adult children and parent of deceased are entitled to loss of dependency damages without proof of dependency
  2. 2 Whether new claims can be introduced at review for injustice

Ratio Decidendi

Adult children of the deceased are not entitled to loss of dependency damages unless they provide evidence of actual dependency at the time of death. The parent (Mbarubukeye) cannot introduce a new claim for damages at the review stage, as it was not raised at first instance. The mutual maintenance obligation under family law does not override the requirement for proof of dependency in compensation claims.

Court Disposition

partially allowed

Orders

  • No loss of dependency damages to Niyonzima Léonidas, Niyigena Feredisa, Ntawiha Evangeline, Muhawenimana Gloriose.
  • Claim of Mbarubukeye Elisabeth for loss of dependency damages not admitted.