Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Wrongful Death and Compensation for Pecuniary Loss

  • Chapter
European Tort Law 2006

Part of the book series: Tort and Insurance Law ((TILY,volume 2006))

  • 302 Accesses

Abstract

These very famous words by Epicurus (341 BC-270 BC) may be a consolation to some, but they are definitely only a half-truth. For when death has come to a person, this person may no longer care, and yet there are still a number of living persons who do care very much. And if the death in question has been a wrongful one, these survivors may well turn their backs on Greek philosophers and seek support from the legal profession instead.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Austria: F. Harrer in: M. Schwimann (ed.), ABGB Praxiskommentar (3rd ed. 2006) § 1325 no. 91; B.A. Koch/H. Koziol, Country Report Austria, in: B.A. Koch/H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 72; England: H. McGregor, McGregor on Damages (17th ed. 2003) no. 36–123; W. Rogers in: Winfield & Jolowicz on Tort (17th ed. 2006) 23–3; Italy: F. Busnelli/G. Comandé, Country Report Italy, in: B.A. Koch/H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 149; Poland: J. Poczobut in: Ch. von Bar (ed.), Deliktsrecht in Europa, Country Report Poland (1993) 31; Spain: M. Martín-Casals/J. Ribot/J. Solé Feliu, Country Report Spain, in: B.A. Koch/H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 117; Switzerland: R. Brehm in: H. Hausheer/H. Walter (eds.), Berner Kommentar, Artikel 41–61 OR (3rd ed. 2006) art. 41 no. 29.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ch. von Bar, Gemeineuropäisches Deliktsrecht, vol. 2 (1999) no. 51 and 54; B.A. Koch/H. Koziol, Comparative Analysis, in: B.A. Koch/H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 56.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Some reports suggest a different solution under Spanish law, e.g. Martin-Casals/ Ribot/Solé Feliu (fn. 2) no. 118 (“…action to claim any sort of damages…”). However, my reading of the cases cited is a different one, as these cases concern non-pecuniary loss.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Pickett v British Rail Engineering Ltd (1980) Law Reports, Appeal Cases (A.C.) 136; A. Burrows in: Clerk & Lindsell on Torts (9th ed. 2006) no. 29–29.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wells v Wells (1999) 1 A.C. 345; W.V.H. Rogers, Country Report England, in: B.A. Koch/H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 68; J. Shaw in: Ch. von Bar (ed.), Deliktsrecht in Europa, Country Report England and Wales (1993) 63 f.; Burrows (fn. 5) no. 29-27 f. (including a detailed description of how to calculate the damages); further details on the “multiplier approach” at the acturial table for use in Personal Injury and Fatal Accident Cases, published by The Stationary Office, online version by the Government Actuary’s Department available at: http://www.gad.gov.uk/Publications/docs/Ogden_Tables_6th_edition.pdf.

  6. Burrows (fn. 5) no. 29–80 f; McGregor, (fn. 2) no. 36–002.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 51, 54; Austria: OGH, Zeitschrift für Verkehrsrecht (ZVR) 2005/61; see also B.C. Steininger, Country Report Austria, in: H. Koziol/B.C. Steininger (eds.), European Tort Law 2005 (2006) no. 36 ff.; Germany: D. Medicus, Der Tod als Schaden, Zeitschrift für das gesamte Schuldrecht (ZGS) 2006, 103 f.; BGH Neue Juristische Wochenschrift (NJW) 2004, 2894 f.; H. Sprau in: O. Palandt, Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (66th ed. 2007) § 843 no. 11; cf. also B. Markesinis/M. Coester/G. Alpa/A. Ullstein, Compensation for Personal Injury in English, German and Italian Law (2005) 161 f; Scotland: with particular clarity sec. 2 (1) Damages (Scotland) Act 1976 (sec. 3 Damages (Scotland) Act 1993).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Art. 138 Decreto Legislativo 7 September 2005 no. 209 provides for a definition of danno biologico, cf. E. Bargelli, Country Report Italy, in: H. Koziol/ B.C. Steininger (eds.), European Tort Law 2005 (2006) no. 1 ff.; F. Busnelli, Der Personenschaden — Eine rechtsvergleichende Untersuchung zur dogmatischen Einordnung, Versicherungsrecht (VersR) 1987, 952, 956 ff.; F. Busnelli in: Ch. von Bar (ed.), Deliktsrecht in Europa, Country Report Italy (1993) 21 f.; C. Gozzi, Der Anspruch iure proprio auf Ersatz des Nichtvermögensschadens wegen der Tötung eines nahen Angehörigen in Deutschland und Italien (2006) 28 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Pro reduction: Austria: Harrer (fn. 2) Anh § 1325 no. 14; Italy: Cass. 18 February 1971, n. 420, Repertorio Generale Annuale della Giurisprudenza (Rep. Giur. It.) 1971, voce Resp. Civ. N. 117 n. 311; Cass. 29 September 1995, n. 10271, Massimario della Cassazione (Giustizia Civile) Giust. Civ. Mass. 1995, 1689; Cass. 6 October 1999, n. 11137, Giust. Civ. Mass. 1999, 2079; see also Gozzi (fn. 9) 193 f.; Germany: G. Wagner in: K. Rebmann/F. Säcker/R. Rixecker (eds.), Münchener Kommentar zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch, vol. 5 (4th ed. 2004) § 823 no. 79; Entscheidungen des Reichsgerichts in Zivilsachen (RGZ) 55, 24, 29 ff.; Spain: Martín-Casals/Ribot/Solé Feliu (fn. 2) no. 94; Sweden: B. Dufwa in: B.A. Koch/H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 110 ff.; H. Witte in: Ch. von Bar (ed.), Deliktsrecht in Europa, Country Report Sweden (1993) 35; contra reduction: Germany: C. Karczewski, Die Haftung für Schockschäden (1992) 385 ff.; J. Hager in: J. von Staudingers Kommentar zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch (13th ed. 1999) §§ 823–825, § 823 no. B 39.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 62 ff. and 169; F. Ranieri, Europäisches Obligationenrecht (2nd ed. 2003) 635 f.; Koch/Koziol (fn. 3) no. 70.

    Google Scholar 

  11. France: C. Radé/ L. Block, Country Report France, in: B.A. Koch/ H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 76 ff.; G. Viney/P. Jourdain, Les conditions de la responsabilité (3rd ed. 2006) no. 305 ff; K. Zweigert/H. Kötz, Einführung in die Rechtsvergleichung (3rd ed. 1996) 620 ff; Italy: Trib. Torino, 8. August 1995, Responsabilità civile e previdenza (Resp. civ. prev.) 282; see also Busnelli/Comandé (fn. 2) no. 152; Spain: Martín-Casals/Ribot/Solé Feliu (fn. 2) no. 119.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police (1992) 1 A.C. 310 (1991, 3 Weekly Law Reports (WLR) 1057/1991, All England Law Reports (All E.R.) 907) required that there be also proximity to the event in time and space; Bourhill v Young (1943) A.C. 92; Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 68.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Koch/ Koziol (fn. 3) no. 64.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Austria: ZVR 1972/181; Reischauer (fn. 13) § 1327 no. 11; Germany: Wagner (fn. 10) § 844 no. 15; KG VersR 1979, 379 f.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Austria: OGH, ZVR 1979/168; France: Cass. req. 10 April 1922 jur. 153; Germany: OLG Hamm NJW-RR 1994, 155; Italy: Cass. 21 May 1979, n. 2124, Rep. Gen. 1977 Sp. 3472 Nr. 30; Switzerland: Brehm (fn. 2) art. 45 no. 21.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Austria: Harrer (fn. 2) § 1327 no. 5; England: Administration of Estates Act 1925, sec. 33 (2); P. Birks, English Private Law (Oxford 2004) no. 7.10: “if a person dies intestate, the personal representative must pay the intestate’s funeral”; Germany: Wagner (fn. 10) § 844, no. 16.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Fonds commun de Garantie Automobile (ed.), Le droit belge en matière d’indemnisation des accidents de la circulation 34 (available at http://www.fcga-gmwf.be); Brehm (fn. 2) art. 45 no. 7 ff.

  18. England: Berry v Humm (1915) 1 Law Reports, King’s Bench (K.B.) 627; Jeffery v Smith (1970) Road Traffic Reports (R.T.R.) 279; Morris v Rigby (1966) 110 S J. 834, C.A.; Regan v Williamson (1976) 1 WLR 305; Germany: § 844 par. 2, § 845 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB); R. Frank, Schadensersatzansprüche bei Tötung des Versorgers (§ 844 par. 2 BGB), in: G. Hohloch (ed.), Festschrift für Hans Stoll (2001) 143, 150 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Austria: OGH ZVR 1978/22; OGH Juristische Blätter (JB1) 1990, 723; OGH ZVR 1993/64; Italy: Cass. Civ., sez. III, 3 November 1995, no. 11453, (1995) Giust. Civ. Mass., fasc. 11; Cass. Civ., sez. III, 17 September 1996, no. 8305; Cass. Civ., sez. III, 6 November 1997, 10923, (1998) Danno e Resonsabilità; Switzerland: R. Brehm, Country Report Switzerland, in: B.A. Koch/H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 97; with regards to comparative law see W. Efing, Schadensersatzansprüche der Angehörigen bei Körperverletzung und Tod eines Menschen (1980) 97.

    Google Scholar 

  20. 23 Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 121; Efing (fn. 22) 77 ff.; W. van Gerven/J. Lever/P. Larouche, Cases, Materials and Text on National, Supranational and International Tort Law (2000) 71 f.; Zweigert/ Kötz (fn. 12) 621 f.

    Google Scholar 

  21. France: A. Bénabent, Droit civil, Les obligations (10th ed. 2005) no. 677; Viney/Jourdain (fn. 12) no. 322; Italy: G. Pescatore/C. Ruperto, Codice Civile (13th ed. 2005) art. 2043 no. 21.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Austria: Koch/ Koziol (fn. 2) no. 73; K.-H. Danzl in: H. Koziol/P. Bydlinski/R. Bollenberger (eds.), Kurzkommentar zum ABGB (2005) § 1327 no. 1; England: Rogers (fn. 6) no. 61; Germany: Efing (fn. 22) 6 ff; Switzerland: Brehm (fn. 2) art. 45 no. 31.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Baker v Bolton (1808) 1 Campbell’s Nisi Prius Cases (Camp.) 493, per Lord Ellenborough; Osborn v Gillet (1873) Law Reports (L.R.) 8 Ex. 88; Admiralty Commissioners v SS Amerika [1917] A.C. 38.

    Google Scholar 

  24. McGregor (fn. 2) no. 36-010 f.; Rogers (fn. 2) 23-11.

    Google Scholar 

  25. L. Wendel in: J. Dute/ M. Faure/ H. Koziol (eds.), No-fault Compensation in the Health Care Sector (2004) no. 3 ff.; Witte (fn. 10) 49; for a comparative overview concerning no-fault compensation schemes see G. Wagner, Comparative Tort Law, in: M. Reimann/R. Zimmermann (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law (2006) 1036 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Austria: Victims of Crime Act of 9 July 1972; Belgium: chap. III, sec. II of the Act of 1 August 1985; England: Scheme made by the Secretary of State under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995; France: Act of 6 July 1990; Germany: Act of 11 May 1976 relating to the compensation of victims of crimes of violence; Poland: Law of 7 July 2005 on Compensation by the State to Victims of Some Intentional Crimes, cf. also E. Bagińska, Country Report Poland, in: H. Koziol/B.C. Steininger, European Tort Law 2005 (2006) no. 1 ff; Spain: Law 35/95 of 11 December 1995 on aid and assistance for victims of violent crime and sexual offences; see also the European Union Council Directive 2004/80/EC of 29 April 2004 relating to compensation to crime victims, OJ L 261, 6.8.2004, 15–18.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Bénabent (fn. 24) no. 675 ff.; F. Terré/P. Simler/Y. Lequette, Les obligations (9th ed. 2005) no. 697 ff.; Viney/Jourdain (fn. 12) no. 271 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Terré/Simler/Lequette (fn. 30) no. 704 ff.; Viney/Jourdain (fn. 12) no. 305 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 170 ff.; Ranieri (fn. 11) 550 ff.; France: Cour de Cassation, Chambre criminelle, 20 April 1972, (1972) Bulletin Criminel Cour de Cassation Chambre criminelle N. 134 P. 333; see also Viney/Jourdain (fn. 12) no. 310 ff; Zweigert/Kötz (fn. 12) 620 ff; Italy: Cass. Civ., sez. III, 1 August 1987, no. 6672, (1987) Giust. Civ. Mass., fasc. 8–9; Cass. Civ., sez. III, 15 December 1981, no. 6630, (1981) Giust. Civ. Mass., fasc. 12; Cass. Civ., sez. III, 28 October 1978, no. 4932, (1979) Archivio giuridico della circolazione e dei sinistri stradali (Arch. Giur. Circolaz.) 275; see also Busnelli/Comandé (fn. 2) no. 150 ff.; Spain: STS 1 June 1981 (1981) RJ, 3037; SSTS 10 January 1970 (1970) RJ, 247; SSTS 4 May 1983 (1983) RJ, 2622; SSTS 1 October 1994 (1994) RJ, 7439; STS 24 November 1970 (1970) RJ, 4889; STS 15 April 1988 (1988) RJ, 2777; STS 19 December 1997 (1997) RJ, 8799; see also Martin-Casals/Ribot/Solé Feliu (fn. 2) no. 119.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Von. Bar (fn. 3) no. 171.

    Google Scholar 

  31. H. Cousy/ D. Droshout, Country Report Belgium, in: B.A. Koch/ H. Koziol (eds.), Compensation for Personal Injury in a Comparative Perspective (2003) no. 72.

    Google Scholar 

  32. As to German Law see KG NJW 1967, 1089, 1090; OLG Frankfurt Zeitschrift für das Gesamte Familienrecht (FamRZ) 1984, 790; BGH NJW 1969, 2007 f.; BGH NJW 1984, 977, 978; see also Frank (fn. 21) 143 ff; H. Kötz/G. Wagner, Deliktsrecht (10th ed. 2006) no. 724; Wagner (fn. 10) § 844 no. 25 f.; Concerning Austrian Law see Harrer (fn. 2) § 1327 no. 11; for Swiss Law see P. Weimar, Der Begriff des Versorgers nach Art. 45 Abs. 3 OR, in: P. Forstmoser/H. Giger/A. Heini/W. Schluep (eds.), Festschrift für Max Keller (1989) 337 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Cousy/ Droshout (fn. 34) no. 72; Fonds commun de Garantie Automobile (fn. 20) 35 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Burrows (fn. 5) no. 29–91 ff.; Rogers (fn. 6) no. 63 ff.; Rogera (fn. 2) 23–12 f.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Burrows (fn. 5) no. 29-91; McGregor (fn. 2) no. 36–095 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Austria: Harrer (fn. 2) § 1327 no. 16; Germany: Wagner (fn. 10) § 844 no. 35; Switzerland: Brehm (fn. 22) no. 98.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Austria: Harrer (fn. 2) § 1327 no. 16; OGH JB1 1954, 285; OLG Wien Sammlung Ehe-und Familienrechtlicher Entscheidungen (EF) 72.206; Switzerland: Brehm (fn. 2) art. 45 no. 42; BGE 72 II 165, 170.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Germany: Wagner (fn. 10) § 844 no. 35; German courts assess the damages on the basis of maintenance statutes: BGH NJW-RR 1988, 66, 67; NJW 1985, 1460, 1461; BGH VersR 1961, 543; Austria: Harrer (fn. 2) § 1327 no. 16.

    Google Scholar 

  39. BGB §§ 844 par. 2, 843 par. 4.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Entscheidungen des Bundesgerichtshofes in Zivilsachen (BGHZ) 54, 269, 274.

    Google Scholar 

  41. BGHZ 91, 357, 364.

    Google Scholar 

  42. BGH NJW 2001, 1274 f.; BGHZ 54, 377, 379; BGH VersR 1973, 939, 941; BGH NJW-RR 1989, 608; Wagner (fn. 10) § 844 no. 75; G. Spindler in: H. Bamberger/H. Roth, Kommentar zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch, vol. 2, §§ 611–1269, § 844 no. 41.

    Google Scholar 

  43. H. Heinrichs in: O. Palandt, Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (66th ed. 2007) Vorb v § 249 no. 139 f.

    Google Scholar 

  44. BGHZ 8, 325, 329; 73, 109; BGH NJW 1974, 1236, 1237; K. Larenz/C. Canaris, Lehrbuch des Schuldrechts, Part II, Vol. 2 (13th ed. 1994) 588.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Burrows (fn.5) no. 29-95.

    Google Scholar 

  46. England: sec. 5 Fatal Accidents Act 1976; Germany: § 846 BGB.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Austria: Koch/ Koziol (fn. 2) no. 81; Switzerland: Brehm (fn. 2) art. 45 no. 34 f.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Spain: Martin-Casah/ Ribot/Solé Feliu (fn. 2) no. 94; Italy: Gozzi (fn. 9) 193 f.; France: Viney/ Jourdain (fn. 12) no. 327.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Viney/ Jourdain (fn. 12) no. 311; basically a general Common Law Rule, Davies v Powell Duffryn Associated Collieries Ltd (1942) A.C. 601, 609, but now these benefits are disregarded under application of sec. 4 Fatal Accidents Act 1976; Burrows (fn. 5) no. 29–105.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Rogers (fn. 6) no. 67; “a speculative possibility of pecuniary gain is not enough”, Davies v Taylor (1974) A.C. 207, HL.

    Google Scholar 

  51. McGregor (fn. 2) no. 36-030 ff.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 172; Burgess v Florence Nightingale Hospital for Gentlewomen (1955) 1 Q.B. 349; Malyon v Plummer (1964) Q.B. 330; Burrows (fn. 5) no. 29–93; Rogers (fn. 2) no. 23–12.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Burgess v Florence Nightingale Hospital for Gentlewomen (1955) 1 Q.B. 349; Burrows (fn. 5) no. 29–93; McGregor (fn. 2) no. 36–024.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Radé/ Bloch (fn. 12) no. 76; Terré/Simler/Lequette (fn. 30) no. 711; Viney/Jourdain (fn. 12) no. 312.

    Google Scholar 

  55. As to French Law see Cass. Civ. lre, 27 June 1973, Bull. Civ., I, no. 218, 192; Cass., Crim., 15 May 1987, Bull. Crim., no. 198, 533; with regards to comparative law see Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 173; Zweigert/Kötz (fn. 12) 622.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Cass. 26 January 1971, n. 174, Foro italiano (Foro it.) 1971, I, 1285; Van Gerven/Lever/ Larouche (fn. 23) 130 ff. This jurisdiction has recently been confirmed by Cass. 24 May 2003, No. 8250, cf. E. Bargelli, Country Report Italy, in: H. Koziol/B.C. Steininger (eds.), European Tort Law 2003 (2004) no. 30 f.

    Google Scholar 

  57. G. Schieren in: Journal of Forensic Economics 11(1) 1998, 33 ff.; Von Bar (fn. 3) no. 47.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Law, University of Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 6, 37073, Göttingen, Germany

    Christiane C. Wendehorst

Authors
  1. Christiane C. Wendehorst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Helmut Koziol Barbara C. Steininger

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer-Verlag/Wien

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wendehorst, C.C. (2008). Wrongful Death and Compensation for Pecuniary Loss. In: Koziol, H., Steininger, B.C. (eds) European Tort Law 2006. Tort and Insurance Law, vol 2006. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-77572-1_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation