MEC for Health, Eastern Cape v N H obo A (513/2021)
MEC for Health, Eastern Cape v N H obo A (513/2021) [2022] ZASCA 181 (15 December 2022)
The Supreme Court of Appeal held that prescription under s 12(3) of the Prescription Act does not begin to run until the claimant has knowledge of the identity of the debtor and the facts giving rise to the debt. In cases of professional negligence, such as medical malpractice, a layperson without medical knowledge or access to hospital records cannot be expected to have sufficient knowledge of the relevant facts immediately after the incident. The respondent only acquired the necessary knowledge after consulting with her attorney, who explained the possible negligence of the hospital staff.…
Source excerpt
- Extinctive Prescription
- Knowledge Of Facts
- Professional Negligence
- Institution Of Legal Proceedings Against Organs Of State
- Emotional Shock Claim