Waqabaca v Vudiniabola [1998] FijiLawRp 19; [1998] 44 FLR 10 (20 March 1998)

[1998] 44 FLR 10

HIGH COURT OF FIJI

Civil Jurisdiction

TEVITA TABUA WAQABACA
a minor by next friend
JOSAIA M. WAQABACA

v

DR. ETIKA VUDINIABOLA &
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Pathik J

20 March 1998

Damages - assessment of damages for personal injuries of maximum severity.

The Plaintiff was 2 years old when he suffered spastic cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence. As a consequence he became permanently unable to feed himself, walk, speak or control his bowel movements. He requires constant 24 hour care. The High Court assessed the Plaintiff's entitlement to damages and made a substantial award in his favour.

Cases cited:

Anitra Kumar Singh v. Rentokil Laboratories Ltd FCA 73/91
Cookson v. Knowles [1979] AC 566
Connolly v. Camden and Islington Area Health Authority [1981] 3 All ER 250
Croke v. Wiseman [1981] 3 All ER 852
Daya Ram v. Peni Cara & Ors [1983] 29 FLR 147
Donnelly v. Joyce [1974] QB 454
Fair v. London and North Western Rly Co. (1869) 21 LT 326
Fuhri v. Jones (1979 C.A. unreported)
Gammell v. Wilson [1980] 2 All ER 557; [1981] 1 All ER 578
Griffiths v Kerkemeyer (1977) 139 CLR 161
Harris v. Harris (1973) 1 Lloyd's LR 455
Heaps v. Perriete Ltd (1937) 2 All ER 60
Housecroft v. Burnett [1986] 1 All ER 332
Iowane Salaitoga v. Kylie Jane Anderson FCA 26/94
Jefford and Another v. Gee [1970] 2 WLR 702
Joyce v. Yeomans [1981] 2 All ER 21
Lim Poh Choo v. Camden and Islington AHA [1979] QB 196
Madhukar Nath Sharma v. Vijendra Prasad CA 40/88
Parker v. Parker (1979) Qd. R 50
Pickett v. British Rail Engineering Ltd. [1980] AC 136
Stephens v. Doncaster HA (1996) 7 Med. LR 357
The Attorney-General of Fjil v. Waisale Naicegulevu FCA 22/89
Thomas v. Brighton Health Authority (1996) PIQR 44
Usha Kiran v. The Attorney-General of Fiji FCA 25/89
Van Gervan v. Fenton (1992) 175 CLR 327
White & Anor. v. London Transport Executive [1982] 1 All ER 410

H.A. Shah for the Plaintiff.
D. Singh for the Defendants

PathikJ:

Introduction