On 24th of June 2021 Sejm passed a law amending the Act – Civil Code. By virtue of that amendment, the Code was supplemented with the provision of art. 4462, according to which, in case of a serious and permanent bodily injury or health disorder resulting in inability to establish or continue a family relationship, the court may award the nearest family members of the injured party an appropriate amount as financial compensation for the harm suffered.
This regulation significantly broadens the scope of civil liability of perpetrators of personal injury, including in particular perpetrators of traffic accidents. According to the new provision, compensation is due not only to the injured party but also to members of his/her family who are directly affected by the injured party’s health condition.