Legal Articles and Guides
Woman gets R1m damages for unlawful arrest
A woman who was arrested and detained for more than a month after asking for water at a neighbour’s home has been awarded R1.15m in damages by the Mpumalanga High Court.
Father wins casino damages bid
Sunwest International, trading as Grand West Casino in Cape Town, is liable for the damages suffered by a four-year-old girl who was electrocuted by a live wire while clinging to the metal rail at the mini ice-skating rink.
Payouts from silicosis settlement 'a drop in the ocean'
The Justice for Miners (JFM) advocacy group of ex-mine workers affected by TB and silicosis has said about 23 000 miners paid by Tshiamiso Trust to date is a drop in the ocean compared to about 500 000 potential claimants across SA and neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, eSwatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Paralysed motorist awarded R26.7m in damages
In a landmark case related to a woman who was paralysed in a car accident caused by a huge pothole in Brits, the North West High Court (Mahikeng) has awarded the nurse almost R27m in compensation to cover ongoing and future medical bills.
Woman awarded R2.2m for SAPS eye injury
A woman who was struck in her right eye with a rubber bullet and had to have it surgically removed will be compensated to the tune of R2.2m by the Police Ministry, reports IoL.
Man loses Prasa foot damages case
A man who lost his right foot after attempting to board a train has had his claim for damages against the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) dismissed.
Ex-golfer’s general damages to be determined
Former golfer Teagan Gauche – who said he was compelled to retire from professional golf in 2022 due to persistent physical limitations arising from a car accident – has claimed more than R17m from the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
Mother awarded R540 000 for child's cerebral palsy
The Mpumalanga MEC for Health has to pay a mother R540 000 in damages after her baby boy was born with cerebral palsy due to the negligence of the staff at a government hospital.
RAF wasting millions on ‘chaotic’ court cases
Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) Judge Jan Pretorius has blasted the Road Accident Fund (RAF) for its ‘chaotic approach to litigation’ which has resulted in huge losses of public money.
ConCourt throws out mandatory mediation challenge
The Constitutional Court has thrown out an urgent application for direct access brought by a firm of attorneys in a bid to overturn a directive introducing mandatory mediation for civil trials at the Gauteng High Court, reports News24.
RAF forced to pay R5bn in default claims
The Road Accident Fund's (RAF) decision to limit the use of a panel of attorneys has led to the entity paying out nearly R5bn in default claims because it did not have proper legal representation, reports News24.
Man wrongfully detained for 120 days gets R850 000
Serame Tikoe (39) – who had to spend 120 days in police custody during 2022 while he was innocent of committing a crime – has been granted R850 000 in damages, payable by the SAPS.
SCA increases deceased's damages claim
A North West woman, who was unlawfully arrested and detained in November 2019 must be compensated R50 000 by the Minister of Police – after the SCA increased the amount.
MEC held responsible for pothole negligence
The Free State High Court (Bloemfontein) has ruled that the provincial MEC of Community Safety, Roads & Transport is 100% liable for the damages suffered by Masenemi Puseletso, whose car had hit a pothole.
SCA rejects road race injury appeal
The SCA has turned down an appeal by seasoned road runner Christine Kalmer against an earlier order that she was liable for 30% of the damages suffered by a member of the public after Kalmer – who was competing in a road race – collided with her.
