IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAWI
PRINCIPAL
REGISTRY
CIVIL
CAUSE NO. 3098 OF 2001
BETWEEN:
GEORGE RONALD ……………………………………………………PLAINTIFF
AND
DR. GEORGE NTAFU ………………………………………………..DEFENDANT
This is
this court’s order on assessment of damages herein for personal injuries
suffered by the plaintiff in an accident caused by the defendant’s agents. The assessment is done pursuant to a default
judgment entered in favour of the plaintiff dated 17th July,
2002. The notice of hearing of this
assessment was duly served on the defendant who never appeared at the
hearing. That left the plaintiff’s
evidence totally uncontroverted.
The
plaintiff herein got involved in a minibus accident on 31st August,
1999. The accident was caused by the
negligence of the defendant’s driver.
In the
said accident the plaintiff sustained several injuries. The plaintiff’s right lower leg suffered a
fracture namely of the tibia and fibula.
The same lower leg suffered big cuts that have left visibly big
scars. The plaintiff’s chest muscles
were also compressed. He was treated as
an in-patient at Thyolo District Hospital for 11 days. Since the accident the plaintiff can no
longer carry heavy tings because of the ensuring pain in his chest area every
time he attempts to carry such things.
He can also no longer run or play football.
Clearly
the plaintiff must have suffered a lot of pain and suffering from his injuries
as well as from the treatment thereof.
The plaintiff has also undoubtedly lost enjoyment of some amenities of
life like sports.
This
court has considered submissions made by Counsel on the law as well the quantum
of damages herein. As rightly submitted
by counsel for the plaintiff, a person who has suffered damage due to the
negligence of another is entitled to damages whose aim is to compensate the
injured party as nearly as possible as money can do. See Livingstone v. Rawyards Coal Company (1880) A. C. 25. The plaintiff is indeed entitled to damages herein for pain and
suffering and for loss of amenities of life.
Such loss is incapable of quantification in money in terms with
mathematical precision since they are non-monetary in nature.
And as a
result courts seek guidance from decided cases of similar nature in arriving at
the appropriate award. See Wright
v. British Railways Boards (1983) A.C. 773.
This
court has considered the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries herein as well as
decided cases referred to by Counsel for the plaintiff. One
such case being that of Marko and Chakuamba v. Masingo t/a
Nzerunchuma Transport Civil
cause Number 1466 of 1999. In that case
the 2nd plaintiff suffered a fractured right collar bone. He also suffered a ruptured left knee which
subsequently got infected and stiff. He
could as a result not lift heavy objects.
The sum of K150,000.00 was awarded to that plaintiff for pain and
suffering and loss of amenities of life.
That award was made 2nd September, 2003.
This
court has also considered the case of Mbaso v. Attorney General
Civil cause Number 769 of 2001 in which the plaintiff suffered a fractured leg
which was left in a plaster of Paris.
The plaintiff therein remained in hospital for 4 months. A sum of K140,000.00 was awarded for pain
and suffering and loss of amenities of life and a further sum of K80,000.00 was
awarded for disfigurement. That award
was made in July, 2001.
This
court notes that the injuries suffered in the Mbaso Case are more serious in nature than the ones
suffered herein.
The value
of the Kwacha has also since depreciated since the award made in the Mbaso
Case. In the circumstances of this case this court
awards the plaintiff the sum of K200,000.00 damages for pain and suffering and
loss of amenities of life and disfigurement.
Costs are
for the plaintiff.
Made in
Chambers at Blantyre this May, 2004.