FATAL ACCIDENTS AND PERSONAL INJURIES
S 4/1991
S 12/1999 1999 Edition, Chapter 160
Amended by
S 10/2000
REVISED EDITION 2020
B.L.R.O. 1/2020
Fatal Accidents and Personal Injuries
B.L.R.O. 1/2020 3
REVISED EDITION 2020
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Fatal Accidents and Personal Injuries Act is Brunei Act, cited as Act 160 1991, currently marked in force and first recorded in 1991.
Chapter
S 4/1991
S 12/1999 1999 Edition, Chapter 160
Amended by
S 10/2000
REVISED EDITION 2020
B.L.R.O. 1/2020
Fatal Accidents and Personal Injuries
B.L.R.O. 1/2020 3
REVISED EDITION 2020
Opening note
Part
Citation
This Act may be cited as the Fatal Accidents and Personal Injuries Act.
Application
This Act applies to any action commenced after the date of commencement of this Act, whether the cause of action accrued before or after such date.
Part
Right of action
If death is caused by any wrongful act, neglect or default which is such as would (if death had not ensued) have entitled the person injured to maintain an action and recover damages in respect thereof, the person who would have been liable if death had not ensued shall be liable to an action for damages, notwithstanding the death of the person injured.
Subject to section 4, every such action shall be for the benefit of the dependants of the person (the deceased) whose death has been so caused.
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In this Part, “dependant” means —
was living with the deceased in the same household immediately before the date of the death;
had been living with the deceased in the same household for at least 2 years before that date; and
was living during the whole of that period as the husband or wife of the deceased;
any person (not being a child of the deceased) who, in the case of any marriage to which the deceased was at any time a party, was treated by the deceased as a child of the family in relation to that marriage;
any person who is, or is the issue of, a brother, sister, uncle or aunt of the deceased.
The reference to the former wife or husband of the deceased in subsection (3)(a) includes a reference to a person whose marriage to the deceased has been dissolved.
In deducing any relationship for the purposes of subsection (3) —
any relationship by affinity shall be treated as a relationship by consanguinity, any relationship of the half blood as a relationship of the whole blood, and the stepchild of any person as his child; and
an illegitimate person shall be treated as the legitimate child of his mother and reputed father.
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Any reference in this Part to injury includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition.
Bereavement
An action under this Part may consist of or include a claim for damages for bereavement.
A claim for damages for bereavement shall only be for the benefit —
of his parents, if he was legitimate; and
Subject to subsection (5), the sum to be awarded as damages under this section shall be $15,000.
[S 10/2000]
Where there is a claim for damages under this section for the benefit of both the parents of the deceased, the sum awarded shall be divided equally between them (subject to any deduction falling to be made in respect of costs not recovered from the defendant).
The Minister* may, by order published in the Gazette, amend this section by varying the sum for the time being specified in subsection (3).
Persons entitled to bring action
The action shall be brought by and in the name of the executor or administrator of the deceased.
If —
no action is brought within 6 months after the death by and in the name of an executor or administrator of the deceased,
* Transferred from the Minister of Law to the Attorney General with effect from 24th February 1999 – [S 12/1999]
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the action may be brought by and in the name of all or any of the persons for whose benefit an executor or administrator could have brought it.
Not more than one action shall lie for and in respect of the same subject matter of complaint.
The plaintiff in the action shall be required to deliver to the defendant or his advocate and solicitor full particulars of the persons for whom and on whose behalf the action is brought and of the nature of the claim in respect of which damages are sought to be recovered.
Assessment of damages
In the action, such damages (other than damages for bereavement), may be awarded as are proportioned to the injury resulting from the death to the dependants respectively.
After deducting the costs not recovered from the defendant, any amount recovered otherwise than as damages for bereavement shall be divided among the dependants in such shares as may be directed.
In an action under this Part, where there fall to be assessed damages payable to a widow in respect of the death of her husband, there shall not be taken into account the remarriage of the widow or her prospects of re-marriage.
In an action under this Part, where there fall to be assessed damages payable to a person who is a dependant by virtue of section 3(b) in respect of the death of the person with whom the dependant was living as husband or wife, there shall be taken into account (together with any other matter that appears to the court to be relevant to the action) the fact that the dependant had no enforceable right to financial support by the deceased as a result of their living together.
If the dependants have incurred funeral expenses in respect of the deceased, damages may be awarded in respect of those expenses.
Money paid into court in satisfaction of a cause of action under this
Part may be in one sum without specifying any person’s share.
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Disregard of benefits
In assessing damages in respect of a person’s death in an action under this Part, benefits which have accrued or will or may accrue to any person from his estate or otherwise as a result of his death shall be disregarded.
Contributory negligence
Where any person dies as the result partly of his own fault and partly of the fault of any other person or persons, and accordingly if an action were brought for the benefit of the estate under Part 4 the damages recoverable would be reduced under section 9(1), any damages recoverable in an action brought for the benefit of the dependants of that person under this Part shall be reduced to a proportionate extent.
Part
Apportionment in case of contributory negligence
Where any person suffers damage as the result partly of his own fault and partly of the fault of any other person or persons, a claim in respect of that damage shall not be defeated by reason of the fault of the person suffering the damage, but the damages recoverable in respect thereof shall be reduced to such extent as the court thinks just and equitable having regard to the claimant’s share in the responsibility for the damage:
Provided that —
where any contract or written law providing for the limitation of liability is applicable to the claim, the amount of damages recoverable by the claimant by virtue of this subsection shall not exceed the maximum limit so applicable.
Where damages are recoverable by any person by virtue of subsection (1) (subject to the reduction mentioned in that subsection), the court shall find and record the total damages which would have been recoverable if the claimant had not been at fault.
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Where, in any case to which subsection (1) applies, one of the persons at fault avoids liability to any other person or his personal representative by pleading the Limitation Act (Chapter 14) or any other written law limiting the time within which proceedings may be taken, he shall not be entitled to recover any damages from that other person or representative by virtue of subsection (1).
Interpretation
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires —
“court” means in relation to any claim, the court or arbitrator by or before whom the claim falls to be determined;
“damage” includes loss of life and personal injury;
“dependant” has the same meaning as in section 3(3);
“fault” means negligence, breach of statutory duty or other act or omission which gives rise to a liability in tort or would, apart from this Part, give rise to the defence of contributory negligence.
Part
Effect of death in cause of action
Subject to the provisions of this section, on the death of any person, all causes of action subsisting against or vested in him shall survive against, or, as the case may be, for the benefit of, his estate:
Provided that this subsection does not apply to causes of action for defamation.
The right of a person to claim under section 4 (bereavement) shall not survive for the benefit of his estate on his death.
Where a cause of action survives as aforesaid for the benefit of the estate of a deceased person, the damages recoverable for the benefit of the estate of that person —
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any exemplary damages;
where the death of that person has been caused by the act or omission which gives rise to the cause of action, shall be calculated without reference to any loss or gain to his estate consequent on his death, except that a sum in respect of funeral expenses may be included.
Where damage has been suffered by reason of any act or omission in respect of which a cause of action would have subsisted against any person if that person had not died before or at the same time as the damage was suffered, there shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Part, to have been subsisting against him before his death such cause of action in respect of that act or omission as would have subsisted if he had died after the damage was suffered.
The rights conferred by this Part for the benefit of the estates of deceased persons shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any rights conferred on the dependants of deceased persons by Part 2 or the
Air Navigation Act (Chapter 113)*.
So much of this Part as relates to causes of action against the estates of deceased persons apply in relation to causes of action under
Part 2 and the Air Navigation Act (Chapter 113)* as it applies in relation to other causes of action not expressly excepted from the operation of subsection (1).
In the event of the insolvency of an estate against which proceedings are maintainable by virtue of this section, any liability in respect of the cause of action in respect of which the proceedings are maintainable is deemed to be a debt provable in the administration of the estate, notwithstanding that it is a demand in the nature of unliquidated damages arising otherwise than by a contract, promise or breach of trust.
* The Air Navigation Act (Chapter 113) was repealed by Civil Aviation Order, 2006 (S 63/2006) with effect from 20th May 2006. The subsidiary legislation made under the Air Navigation Act (Chapter 113) was saved by section 53(3) of the Civil Aviation Order, 2006.
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Abolition of damages for loss of expectation of life
In an action for damages for personal injuries —
no damages shall be recoverable in respect of any loss of expectation of life caused to the injured person by the injuries; but
if the injured person’s expectation of life has been reduced by the injuries, the court, in assessing damages in respect of pain and suffering caused by the injuries, shall take account of any suffering caused or likely to be caused to him by awareness that his expectation of life has been so reduced.
The reference in subsection (l)(a) to damages in respect of loss of expectation of life does not include damages in respect of loss of income.
Maintenance at public expense
In an action for damages for personal injuries (including any such action arising out of a contract), any saving to the injured person which is attributable to his maintenance wholly or partly at public expense in a hospital, nursing home or other institution shall be set off against any income lost by him as a result of his injuries.
Part
Entitlement to contribution
Subject to the following provisions of this section, any person liable in respect of any damage suffered by another person may recover contribution from any other person liable in respect of the same damage
(whether jointly with him or otherwise).
A person is entitled to recover contribution by virtue of subsection (1) notwithstanding that he has ceased to be liable in respect of the damage in question since the time when the damage occurred, provided that he was so liable immediately before he made or was ordered or agreed to make the payment in respect of which the contribution is sought.
A person is liable to make contribution by virtue of subsection (1)
notwithstanding that he has ceased to be liable in respect of the damage in
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question since the time when the damage occurred, unless he ceased to be liable by virtue of the expiry of a period of limitation or prescription which extinguished the right on which the claim against him in respect of the damage was based.
A person who has made or agreed to make any payment in bona fide settlement or compromise of any claim made against him in respect of any damage (including a payment into court which has been accepted) is entitled to recover contribution in accordance with this section without regard to whether or not he himself is or ever was liable in respect of the damage, provided, however, that he would have been liable assuming that the factual basis of the claim against him could be established.
A judgment given in any action by or on behalf of the person who suffered the damage in question against any person from whom contribution is sought under this section shall be conclusive in the proceedings for contribution as to any issue determined by that judgment in favour of the person from whom the contribution is sought.
References in this section to a person’s liability in respect of any damage are references to any such liability which has been or could be established in an action brought against him by or on behalf of the person who suffered the damage; but it is immaterial whether any issue arising in any such action was or would be determined (in accordance with the rules of private international law) by reference to the law of a country outside Brunei
Darussalam.
Assessment of contribution
Subject to subsection (3), in any proceeding for contribution under section 14, the amount of the contribution recoverable from any person shall be such as may be found by the court to be just and equitable having regard to the extent of that person’s responsibility for the damage in question.
Subject to subsection (3), the court shall have power in any such proceeding —
to direct that the contribution to be recovered from any person shall amount to a complete indemnity.
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Where the amount of the damages which have or might have been awarded in respect of the damage in question in any action by or on behalf of the person who suffered it against the person from whom the contribution is sought was or would have been subject to —
any limit imposed by or under any written law or by any agreement made before the damage occurred;
any corresponding limit or reduction under the law of a country outside Brunei Darussalam, the person from whom the contribution is sought shall not, by virtue of any contribution awarded under section 14, be required to pay in respect of the damage a greater amount than the amount of those damages as so limited or reduced.
Joint liability
Judgment recovered against any person liable in respect of any debt or damage shall not be a bar to an action, or to the continuance of an action, against any other person who is (apart from any such bar) jointly liable with him in respect of the same debt or damage.
Successive actions
If more than one action is brought in respect of any damage by or on behalf of the person by whom it was suffered against persons liable in respect of the damage (whether jointly or otherwise), the plaintiff is not entitled to costs in any of those actions, other than that in which judgment is first given, unless the court is of the opinion that there was reasonable ground for bringing the action.
Interpretation
A person is liable in respect of any damage for the purposes of this
Part if the person who suffered it (or anyone representing his estate or dependants) is entitled to recover compensation from him in respect of that damage (whatever the legal basis of his liability, whether tort, breach of contract, breach of trust or otherwise).
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References in this Part to any action brought by or on behalf of the person who suffered any damage include references to an action brought for the benefit of his estate or dependants.
Savings
Nothing in this Part shall affect any case where the debt in question became due or (as the case may be) the damage in question occurred before the date on which this Act comes into force.
A person is not entitled to recover contribution or is not liable to make contribution in accordance with section 14 by reference to any liability based on breach of any obligation assumed by him before the date on which this Act comes into force.
The right to recover contribution in accordance with section 14
supersedes any right, other than an express contractual right, to recover contribution (as distinct from indemnity) otherwise than under this Part in corresponding circumstances ; but nothing in this Part shall affect —
any express contractual provision regulating or excluding contribution, which would be enforceable apart from this Part (or render enforceable any agreement for indemnity or contribution which would not be enforceable apart from this Part).
Part
Common employment
It shall not be a defence to an employer, who is sued in respect of personal injuries caused by the negligence of a person employed by him, that
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that person was, at the time the injuries were caused, in common employment with the person injured.
Any provision contained in a contract of service or apprenticeship or in an agreement collateral thereto (including a contract or agreement entered into before the commencement of this Part) shall be void in so far as it would have the effect of excluding or limiting any liability of the employer in respect of personal injuries caused to the person employed or apprenticed by the negligence of persons in common employment with him.
In this section, “personal injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition, and the expression
“injured” shall be construed accordingly.
Provisional damages
This section applies to an action for damages for personal injuries in which there is prove or admitted to be a chance that at some definite time in the future the injured person will, as a result of the act or omission which gave rise to the cause of action, develop some serious disease or suffer some serious deterioration in his physical or mental condition.
Subject to subsection (4), as regards any action for damages to which the section applies in which a judgment is given in the High Court, provision may be made by rules of court for enabling the court, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, to award the injured person —
damages assessed on the assumption that the injured person will not develop the disease or suffer the deterioration in his condition ;
and
further damages at a future date if he develops the disease or suffers the deterioration.
Any rule made by virtue of this section may include such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as the rule-making authority may consider necessary or expedient.
Nothing in this section shall be construed —
as affecting the exercise of any power relating to costs, including any power to make rules of court relating to costs; or
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as prejudicing any duty of the court under any written law or rule of law to reduce or limit the total damages which would have been recoverable apart from any such duty.
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