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\snext0 heading 3;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\* \ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid3348103\rsid15666218}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6612;}{\info {\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI (AT SUVA)}{\author Amelia Rasovo}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2004\mo8\dy30\hr10\min42}{\revtim\yr2004\mo8\dy31\hr10\min10}{\printim\yr2002\mo4\dy26\hr12\min19}{\version3}{\edmins2}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords620} {\nofchars3537}{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws4149}{\vern16389}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0 \jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot15666218 \fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\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 \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103\charrsid3348103 \par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 (AT SUVA) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 CIVIL ACTION HBC 3 OF 2001S \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 Between: \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 MUNI LATA KUMAR \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 (Administratrix of the Estate \par of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 RAJ KUMAR deceased) \par Plaintiff \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 and \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 First Defendant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 and \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 Second Defendant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 and \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 Third Defendant \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par V. Maharaj for the Plaintiff \par K. Keteca for the Defendant \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 DECISION \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par The Plaintiff is the widow of a policeman Raj Kumar who was killed in August 2000 while on duty.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 In January 2001 she issued proceedings seeking damages for negligence or breach of contract and in the alternative compensation under the Workers Compensation Act (Cap 94 \endash the Act). \par \par In their Defence filed in January 2001 the Defendants conceded the Workers Compensation claim but denied the common law claims. \par \par In May 2001 the Defendants filed a motion to strike out the claim under the provisions of RHC O. 18 r 18 (1) (a). \par \par At the hearing of that motion on 3 September I was told by Counsel that the Plaintiff had already been offered $24,000 in satisfaction of her Workers Compensation claim and that she had accepted it but had then returned it following legal advice.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 Upon the provisions of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 RHC O. 18 (2) being referred to the motion was withdrawn. \par \par On 1 March 2002 the Plaintiff filed the present application under the provisions of O. 29 r 11.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 In her supporting affidavit the Plaintiff deposed that she had received no payment at all in respect of her husband\rquote s death and that she is now destitute.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 She suggested that she would be bound to recover at least the $24,000 conceded by the Defendants and asked for it to be paid out to her. \par \par In answer to this application Mr. Keteca once again conceded that the Plaintiff was entitled to recover under the Act but suggested that payment to the Plaintiff of the sum due under the Act would extinguish the balance of the Plaintiff\rquote s claim and that therefore it would not be an interim payment but a total payment in final satisfaction of the Plaintiff\rquote s whole claim. \par \par It is apparent that counsel both for the Plaintiff and the Defendants have been under the impression that acceptance by the Plaintiff of the Workers Compensation clai m would amount to a compromise of her common law action and that it was for this reason that the sum of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 $24,000 was repaid by the Plaintiff to the Defendants after it had been accepted by her sometime last year.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 In my opinion this reading of the law is incorrect. \par \par The relevant sections of the Act are 2, 16 (1) and 21 (1) (c). \par \par Under Section 16 a claim for compensation under the Act can be compromised. \par \par Under Section 21 (1) (c) a compromise: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \'93 come to between the employer and the workman under the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 16 shall be a bar to proceedings by the workman in respect of the same injury independently of this Act.\'94 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par It must however be noticed that in this case the agreement to pay $24,000 for the death of Raj Kumar was not an agreement reached \'93between the employer and the workman\'94 since the agreement followed the workman\rquote s death.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 Furthermore this is not an action being brought by the workman in respect of his own death but is an action being brought by his widow. \par \par The matter is put beyond doubt by Section 2 (3) which provides that: \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \'93 Except for the purpose of Section 16 any reference to a workman who has been injured shall, unless the context otherwise requires, where the workman is dead, include a reference to his personal representative, or to his dependant or any of them.\'94 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par In other words, Section 16 does not apply to a compromise agreed by a personal representative following the death of the workman and therefore Section 25 (1) (c) does not apply either. \par \par In my view there is no doubt that if the action proceeds to trial the Plaintiff will at least be awarded the $24,000 already offered}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 to her and to which there is no defence entered.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 Payment out of that sum will not act as a bar to the further prosecution of her common law claim. \par \par I order that payment be made by the Defendants to the Plaintiff of $24,000 forthwith.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3348103 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 In view of the hardship which the Plaintiff is suffering payment out to her should be expedited. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 M.D. Scott \par Judge \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3348103 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15666218\charrsid3348103 \par 29 April 2002 \par }}