torts

Remedies in the case of death

Article 446 of the Polish Civil Code (CC) provides for specific remedies in a situation where personal injuries lead to the death of a person. This provision does not apply in all cases of personal injuries, but only when death is a result of a bodily injury or a health disorder. The death can occur immediately, or as a result of further complications from the injury over time. Article 446 CC does not constitute a form of tort itself, but it provides specific remediesif all the prerequisites of a particular liability, specified in whichever provision is applicable in that case, are fulfilled. The scope of remedies available in the case of death is specified in separate sections of Article 446 and depends on the pecuniary (§ 1 – 3) or non-pecuniary (§ 4) status of the damage.

Posted on 13/07/2016 by Nina Baranowska in Contract Law

Personal Injuries in Polish Private Law

Depending on the object of infringement, Polish tort law distinguishes property damage and personal injuries. This distinction is of key importance in two aspects. Firstly, while the compensation of property damage can cover only pecuniary damage, the compensation of personal injuries can redress both pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage. Secondly, personal injury claims cannot be transferred (unless they are already due and payable and have been recognized in writing or awarded in a final and unappealable court decision).

Posted on 13/06/2016 by Nina Baranowska in Contract Law, General Issues

Actio de effusis vel deiectis – the boundaries of flexibility

Article 433 of the Polish Civil Code embraces the classical construction of liability for damages caused by objects or liquids falling out from a room. Following the classical pattern of the Roman actio de effusis vel deiectis, the Code tightens considerably the liability in comparison to Article 415 CC, setting out a general obligation to compensate for damage caused by an unlawful deed, as long as the culprit remains in the wrong. The peculiar tort in question, on the other hand, awards the right to claim compensation from every person who occupies the room, regardless of their fault (which clearly rates this provision in the Polish doctrine under what is known as “liability upon the risk basis”). Among the relieving circumstances, the statute rates only force majeure, the exclusive fault of the victim or a third party for whose deeds the resident does not bear liability. Read more

Posted on 17/05/2014 by Mateusz Grochowski in Contract Law