Rwanda Case Law

IMANZA Z'UBWISHINGIZI ZACIWE N'URUKIKO RW'IKIRENGA (Insurance digest Supreme Court 2025)

Court

Supreme Court

Permanent disability from a traffic accident entitles the victim to economic loss and career prejudice compensation regardless of whether employment or income was lost, provided the disability is medically certified. Career prejudice compensation is not limited to those who lost jobs but extends to anyone whose professional prospects are diminished by the injury. Dependency claims by adults require proof of actual support and need. For self-employed or informal workers, damages are calculated on net income or sector benchmarks. Compulsory motor insurance does not cover workplace accidents, wh…

Source excerpt

• Personal injury compensation
• Permanent disability
• Economic loss
• Career prejudice
• Funeral expenses
• Dependency claims

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RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd v MUKANEZA

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2023/SC

A victim of a motor vehicle accident who suffers permanent disability exceeding 30% is entitled to economic loss and career impairment damages under Rwandan law, regardless of whether they continued working or receiving salary. The law does not require total job loss for such compensation. The Supreme Court affirms the High Court's calculation and award of damages.

Source excerpt

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Permanent disability damages
• Economic loss
• Career impairment
• Bodily injury compensation

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RADIANT INSURANCE COMPANY Ltd v MUKANEZA

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00007/2023/SC

A victim of a motor vehicle accident who suffers permanent disability exceeding 30% is entitled to economic loss and career impairment damages under Rwandan law, regardless of whether they continued working or earning salary. Career impairment includes loss of promotion opportunities and diminished work capacity. Medical evidence confirming aesthetic impairment justifies aesthetic damages. The insurer's claim for counter-damages fails absent proof of abusive litigation.

Source excerpt

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Permanent disability damages
• Economic loss
• Career impairment
• Bodily injury
• Burden of proof

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SANLAM AG Plc v RUTAYISIRE

Court

Supreme Court

Case number

RS/INJUST/RC 00011/2022/SC

The Supreme Court partly granted review, recalculating damages for a motorcycle taxi rider injured in a traffic accident and ordering repayment of overpaid amounts.

• Motor vehicle accident
• Compensation calculation
• Economic loss
• Permanent disability
• Temporary disability
• Motor-vehicle-accident

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NKUSI V SANLAM AG Plc

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 00072/2021/HC/RWG

A claimant over 16 years old who suffers permanent disability exceeding 30% from a motor vehicle accident is entitled to compensation for economic loss and loss of earning capacity, even without proof of employment or salary, as per Article 18 of Presidential Order No. 31/01 of 25/08/2003; damages may be based on the minimum wage. The respondent's appeal lacked merit as the law does not require proof of employment for such damages.

Source excerpt

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Bodily injury damages
• Economic loss
• Permanent disability
• Proof of loss of earnings

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Sanlam v Nkusi

Court

High Court

Case number

RCA 00072/2021/HC/RWG

A claimant over 16 years old with a permanent disability exceeding 30% from a motor vehicle accident is entitled to economic and permanent loss damages, calculated on the basis of the statutory minimum wage, without needing to prove actual employment or salary.

Source excerpt

• Motor vehicle accident compensation
• Bodily injury damages
• Economic loss
• Permanent disability
• Procedural costs

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