Raiwaqa Buses ordered to pay interim $10,000 to accident victim; liability to be decided later
The High Court in Suva has ordered Raiwaqa Buses Limited to pay an interim sum of $10,000 to accident victim Samuela Sautamata Ritova within seven days. Justice Chaitanya Lakshman granted the additional interim payment after Ritova applied to cover mortgage arrears and living costs arising from the crash.
Ritova, who lost his right leg above the knee in the bus crash, had previously received $30,000 in 2018. He had sought a further $25,000, arguing that he can no longer work and has lost financial support from his son, who is currently in Ukraine. Raiwaqa Buses and its insurer, Sun Insurance, opposed the request, noting that Ritova’s loan arrears were only $391.90 and that the total balance owed—about $18,000—was a joint responsibility with Ritova’s wife.
Justice Lakshman said the trial had concluded and that the evidence showed Ritova sustained serious injuries. He found that Raiwaqa Buses had the means to pay and therefore approved the smaller interim payment of $10,000. The court also granted Sun Insurance’s application to determine liability before addressing damages, citing four related cases awaiting outcome. Judgment on liability is expected to be delivered on August 29.
Context and outlook
This ruling aligns with a broader pattern in Fiji where courts have moved to provide financial redress for accident victims even as liability and damages are being resolved. For example, the Lautoka High Court previously ordered the Land Transport Authority to pay $88,567.23 to Parveen Krishna Naicker for injuries sustained in a 2013 incident, with the Court of Appeal subsequently upholding vicarious liability against the driver’s employer. Such decisions underscore ongoing scrutiny of transport operators and public agencies, and they may prompt stronger safety policies, better oversight, and clearer pathways to interim relief for victims.
Summary
The Suva High Court has awarded Ritova a $10,000 interim payment from Raiwaqa Buses within seven days, while liability will be determined at a later date on August 29. The case reflects a trend toward ensuring timely relief for accident victims as legal proceedings continue.
Hopeful note
The decision offers immediate financial relief to Ritova and signals a commitment to justice for injury victims, while the ongoing liability process could spur improvements in safety and accountability within public transport operators.
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