CR HOLDINGS LIMITED v MARY MUSONDA (APPEAL 71/2019) [2020] ZMCA 158 (6 November 2020)

CR HOLDINGS LIMITED v MARY MUSONDA (APPEAL 71/2019) [2020] ZMCA 158 (6 November 2020)

The quantum of damages awarded by the Deputy Registrar was in several instances inordinately high and not supported by evidence or legal principle. The appellate court reduced the awards for pain and suffering, loss of amenities, permanent disability, and loss of expectation of life, applying a weekly rate for pain...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2020] ZMCA 158
Parties
Appellant: CR Holdings Limited; Respondent: Mary Musonda (Suing as Administrator of the Estate of the Late Boyd Kabaso and 12 others)
Court
Court of Appeal of Zambia
Jurisdiction
Zambia
Case Number
APPEAL 71/2019
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Quantum of Damages Awarded at Assessment
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; quantum of damages reduced; some awards set aside or substituted; interest ordered; each party to bear own costs.
Legal Topics
Negligence, Damages Assessment, Loss of Expectation of Life, Loss of Dependency, Permanent Disability, Pain and Suffering, Loss of Amenities, Funeral Expenses
Source Language
en
Tort Law Personal Injury Fatal Accidents Negligence Damages Assessment Loss of Expectation of Life Loss of Dependency Permanent Disability +3 more

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Parties

CR Holdings Limited

Appellant

Mary Musonda (Suing as Administrator of the Estate of the Late Boyd Kabaso and 12 others)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Quantum of Damages Awarded at Assessment

  1. 1 Whether the quantum of damages awarded by the Deputy Registrar was inordinately high or low and erroneous in principle
  2. 2 Whether the Deputy Registrar applied the correct legal principles in assessing damages under various heads
  3. 3 Whether damages could be awarded based solely on affidavit evidence without oral testimony where the trial judge ordered viva voce evidence

Ratio Decidendi

The quantum of damages awarded by the Deputy Registrar was in several instances inordinately high and not supported by evidence or legal principle. The appellate court reduced the awards for pain and suffering, loss of amenities, permanent disability, and loss of expectation of life, applying a weekly rate for pain and suffering where appropriate, and awarding nominal damages for unproven loss of business. Awards based solely on affidavit evidence without oral testimony were set aside where the trial judge had ordered viva voce evidence. Funeral expenses were only allowed where not already covered by third parties and where evidence was let in without objection.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; quantum of damages reduced; some awards set aside or substituted; interest ordered; each party to bear own costs.

Orders

  • Total damages reduced from K2,870,260.00 to K1,063,800.00.
  • Interest at short term deposit rate from date of writ to judgment, and thereafter at current bank lending rate until payment in full.