Compensatory claims for workplace accidents caused by employer negligence are barred by a ten-year statute of limitations. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, ruling that the ten-year period from the offense date applies regardless of when the victim discovered the harm. The court held that the employer's failure to ensure safe working conditions constituted a criminal offense, triggering the specific limitation period under the Civil Code. The decision clarifies that the ten-year limitation period for compensatory claims in workplace accidents caused by employer negligence runs from the date of the offense, not from when the victim discovers the harm, as established by Article 442 § 2 of the Civil Code. The Supreme Court dismissed the cassation appeal, confirming that the ten-year limitation period for compensatory claims in workplace accidents caused by employer negligence runs from the date of the offense, regardless of when the victim discovered the harm. The court ruled that the employer's failure to ensure safe working conditions constituted a criminal offense, triggering the specific limitation period under the Civil Code. The decision clarifies that the ten-year limitation period for compensatory claims in workplace accidents caused by employer negligence runs from the date of the offense, not from when the victim discovered the harm, as established by Article 442 § 2 of the Civil Code. The Supreme Court dismissed the cassation appeal, confirming that the ten-year limitation period for compensatory claims in workplace accidents caused by employer negligence runs from the date of the offense, regardless of when the victim discovered the harm. The court ruled that the employer's failure to ensure safe working conditions constituted a criminal offense, triggering the specific limitation period under the Civil Code. The decision clarifies that the ten-year limitation period for compensatory claims in workplace accidents caused by employer negligence runs from the date of the offense, not from when the victim discovered the harm, as established by Article 442 § 2 of the Civil Code.
Poland (PL)
Legislator summary
AI generatedThe Supreme Court dismissed the cassation appeal filed by the employer against the lower court's award of compensatory damages to an injured employee. The employee suffered a workplace accident due to a forklift malfunction and the employer's failure to maintain safe working conditions, which the lower courts found constituted a criminal offense under the Criminal Code. The Supreme Court applied Article 442 § 2 of the Civil Code, ruling that the ten-year statute of limitations for such claims runs from the date the criminal offense occurred, not from when the victim discovered the harm or the employer's liability.
Legislator headnote
AI generatedArt. 442 § 2 KC; Art. 191 KK z 1969 r.; Compensatory claims for workplace accidents caused by employer negligence are barred by a ten-year statute of limitations running from the date of the offense, regardless of when the victim discovered the harm.