Moses Kimeze V Afriplast Industries Ltd (High Court Civil Suit No. 490 of 1997) [2001] UGHC 18 (21 March 2001)

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\asianbrkrule\rsidroot2437562\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}} {\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (} {\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6318413 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 THE REPUBLIC OF }{ \b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 UGANDA}{\b\ul\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 \par }{\b\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 IN THE H}{\b\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 IGH COURT OF UGANDA AT K. MPALA \par }{\b\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 HIGH COURT CIVIL SUIT NO.490 OF 1997}{\b\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6318413 {\b\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 MOSES KIMEZE\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85 \'85\'85\'85..}{\b\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 PLAINTIFF \par AFRI PLAST INDUSTRIES LTD\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85..\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\b\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 DEFENDANT }{\b\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 BEFORE: THE }{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 HON. }{\b\ul\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 MR. JUSTICE E. S. LUGAYIZI \par }{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 JUDGMENT }{\b\insrsid6318413\charrsid12259522 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6318413 {\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 The plaintiff sued the defendant and claimed special and general damages arising from injuries he sustained on account o}{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 f the defendant\rquote s negligence in }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 the course of employment at }{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 the defendant\rquote s place of work. \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 In its WSD the defendant denied the plaintiff\rquote s claim and, among other things, averred that the defendant\rquote s place of work is safe; and the defendant is not guilty of any of the acts of neg}{\insrsid6974877 ligence alleged in the plaint. }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 During the hearing of the suit the plaintiff called two witnesses, namely, himself (PW1) and Dr. Ntege}{\insrsid6974877 (PW2). On the other hand, the }{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 defendant brought one witness namely Bharat Gohil (DW1). \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 In brief the plaintiff\rquote s case was as follows. On 30th March, 1996 Moses}{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 Serunjogi (the plaintiff (PW1)}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 was on duty at the defendant\rquote s place of work. He was working as a casual labourer. He}{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 had been with the defendant for 3 months. He mainly attended to a machine that shaped soles for old shoes. On that day, as Serunjogi did his work he was instructed to go and lift materials that w}{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 ere lying }{ \insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 near the rotation machine. He moved as he was advised to do. However, as he passed by the rotation machine it began moving. In t}{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 h}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 e pr}{ \insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 o}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 ce}{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 s}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 s it cut off two of his fingers on t}{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 he right}{ \insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 }{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 h}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 and, namely, the small finger and index finger. The machines at the defendant\rquote s place of work were open and not fenced. They could easily hurt the employees. Serunjogi was }{\insrsid15413962\charrsid12259522 rushed}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 to Nsambya Hospital where his fingers were stitched and he received medication. After the stitches were removed, the injuries on his fingers got wo}{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 rse. H}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 e was therefore compelled to look for better medical treatment at Dr. Ntege\rquote s clinic where he received physiotherapeutic treatment for one month. In all, the injuries Serunjogi sustained disfigured him. Presently, he cannot grip objects properly with , his right hand. His permanent disability was assessed at 30% by Dr. Ntege. He spent Shs.50,000/= on transport and drinks in the course of his treatment. Finally, he prayed Court to award hi}{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 m special and general damages. \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 In essence the defendant\rquote s testimony was that the plaintiff was working for it at the time he sustained the injuries in question. The defendant paid the plaintiff\rquote s}{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 hospital bills and the salary due to him for the period of his sickness. \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 From the evidence on record it is clear that the plaintiff was working for the defendant at the time of the accident. What is not quite clear is whether the defendant was responsible for the injuries that the plaintiff sustained on the day in question. Consequently Court has }{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 to resolve two issues, namely, \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \s15\qj \fi-360\li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14223996 {\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 Whether the injuries that the plaintiff sustained were as a result }{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 of the defendant\rquote s negligence? \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}The remedies available.}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 }{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14223996 {\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 The }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 Court will now resolve}{ \insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 the above two issues in turn. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6318413 {\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 With regard to the first issue, the plaintiff\rquote s evidence was that on the day in question he was on duty at the defendant\rquote s place o}{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 f work when the rotation }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 machine cut off his two fingers as he passed near it. That machine was not in motion before, but when he reached it, it began running and injured him. All the machines at the defendant\rquote s place o}{\insrsid6974877 f work, then, were not fenced. }{ \insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 The above evidence was neither challenged nor contradicted by the defendant. In fact, that evidence shows that the defendant contravened the provisions of Part V of the Factories Act (Cap.198) relating to \'93 Safety in that it failed to fence the moving parts of the machines in its factory. For that reason, the defendant did not ensure a safe working environment for its employees as the law requires. In the circumstances, the defendant was negligent; and it }{ \insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 was as a result of that negligence that the plaintiff sustained the }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 injuries in question. The first issue is answered in the affirmative. }{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 With regard to the second issue, the plaintiff prayed for special and general damages. In his evidence the plaintiff testified that in the course }{\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 of his treatment he spent Shs.50,000}{ \insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 /= on transport and drinks. The law relating to special damages is that they must be specifically pleaded and strictly proved. }{\b\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 (See}{\b\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 ;}{ \b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 }{\b\ul\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 Sali v Bwenqye [1978] HC}{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 B 189}{\b\ul\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 ;_ and Estate}{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 of Sh}{ \b\ul\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 am}{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 ji Visram Kurl}{\b\ul\insrsid14223996\charrsid12259522 i Karsan Shankesprasad Maqanlal}{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 Bhatt and Anor. Civil Appeal No.25 of 1964 [1965] E. A 789 at page 796)}{\b\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 .}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 The crucial question to answer is whether the sum of Shs.50,000/= that the plaintiff claimed as special damages was specifically pleaded and strictly proved? Although the amount of Shs.50,000/= could arguably be said to have been catered for un der miscellaneous expenses in paragraph 9 of the plaint, it was not specifically proved during the hearing. Indeed, the plaintiff merely alleged that he spent that sum in respect of transport and drinks during the period of treatment, but he}{ \insrsid3490022\charrsid12259522 }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 did not support it with any receipts during the hearing of this case. In the circumstances, that claim was not proved. For that r}{\insrsid3490022\charrsid12259522 eason Court will not grant it. \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 With regard to general damages, there is no doubt that the plaintiff suffered pain when his two fingers (that is to say, the small finger and the index finger) were cut off by the rotating machine on the day in question. Ac}{\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 cording to Dr. Ntege (PW2) the plaintiff is currently disfigured and cannot hold things properly }{ \insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 with his right hand. Dr. Nte}{\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 ge assessed the plaintiff\rquote s disability}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 at 30%. In the case of }{\b\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 Matiya Byabalema and 2 Others v Uganda Transport Co. Civil Appeal No.10 of 1993,}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 the appellant had his leg amputated after an accident which was caused by the defendant. The High Court awarded him }{ \insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 Shs.4m/=}{\i\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 as }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 general damages. On appeal, the Supreme Court raised that sum of money to Shs.9m/. In the instant case, unlike }{ \ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 Byabalema (supra) }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 the subject of the award is two fingers which were cut off and not a limb. Despite the fact that the plaintiff cannot firmly hold objects with his right hand, Court } {\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 does not think that he should get s much as the}{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 plaintiff was awarded in the }{\ul\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 Byabalema case (supra) }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 . All in all, Court thinks that a sum of Shs.3.5m/= would be adequate to compensate the plaintiff as general damages}{\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 for the injuries he suffered. \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 In conclusion, the plaintiff\rquote s suit has succeeded;}{\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 and judgment is hereby entered }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 in his }{\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 favour in the following terms. \par }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 1. The plaintiff shall be paid a sum of Shs.3.5m/= as general damages by the defendant. \par 2. The defendant shall }{\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 bear }{\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 the costs of this suit. \par }\pard\plain \qj \li6480\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin6480\itap0\pararsid12259522 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 E. S LUGAYIZI}{ \b\insrsid2437562\charrsid12259522 \par }{\b\insrsid12259522\charrsid12259522 JUDGE \par 21/03/2001 \par }}