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2018 Supreme(SC) 1131
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
KURIAN JOSEPH, A.M. KHANWILKAR, D.Y. CHANDRACHUD, JJ.
ARUN KUMAR JHA – APPELLANT(S)
VERSUS
RANVIR SINGH & ANR. – RESPONDENT(S)
CIVIL APPEAL NO(S). 10880/2018 (ARISING FROM SLP (C) NOS.32552 OF 2017)
Decided On : 01-11-2018
In cases of specific injuries resulting in 100% functional disability, the appellant is entitled to further compensation, and the applicability of amendments introduced after the date of the incident should be considered in light of relevant legal precedents.
Headnote:
Functional Disability - Compensation - The court held that in the case of injury resulting in amputation of right leg below one third the thigh, there is 100% functional disability, and the appellant is entitled to further compensation of a lump sum amount of Rs.10 Lacs.
Fact of the Case:
The appellant was denied the benefit of functional disability and was granted compensation only to the tune of Rs.3,87,187/- with penalty.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the appellant is entitled to further compensation of a lump sum amount of Rs.10 Lacs due to the nature of the injury resulting in 100% functional disability.
Issues: The denial of the benefit of functional disability and the contention regarding the applicability of the amendment introduced in 2009 to the appellant's case.
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the judgment in K. Janardhan v. United India Insurance Company Limited & Another and Kalema Tumba v. State of Maharashtra and Another to establish the entitlement to further compensation for the appellant.
Final Decision: The respondent No.2/Insurance Company is directed to pay a lump sum amount of Rs.10 Lacs to the appellant within three months, failing which the appellant will be entitled to interest @ 12% per annum from the date of the accident. The appeal is disposed of with no orders as to costs.
JUDGMENT
KURIAN, J.
Leave granted.
2. Heard the learned counsel for the appellant and the learned counsel for the Insurance Company. There is no appearance for respondent No.1/owner.
3. This is a case where the appellant was denied the benefit of functional disability. In view of the judgment of this Court in K. Janardhan v. United India Insurance Company Limited & Another, reported in (2008) 8 SCC 518, the law is well settled that being a driver, in the nature of injury resulting in amputation of right leg below one third the thigh, there cannot be any dispute that there is 100% functional disability. The Commissioner, Workmen Compensation has granted compensation only to the tune of Rs.3,87,187/- with penalty.
4. Learned counsel appearing for Respondent No.2/Insurance Company has vehemently contended that the benefit of the amendment introduced in the year 2009 cannot be extended to the appellant since the date of incident is prior to the amendment.
5. We are afraid that this contention cannot be appreciated since the position is covered against the respondents by a decision of this Court in Kalema Tumba v. State of Maharashtra and Another, reported in (1999) 8 SCC 257. Though the learned counsel for the appellant has pitched the claims to around Rs.20 Lacs including the penalty component and other aspects, having regard to the entire facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the view that this is a case where a further compensation of a lump sum amount of Rs.10 Lacs will be just, fair and proper. Ordered accordingly.
6. The respondent No.2/Insurance Company is directed to pay this amount of Rs.10 Lacs to the appellant, within a period of three months from today. In case, the said amount is not paid within three months from today, the appellant will be entitled to interest @ 12% per annum from the date of the accident.
7. The appeal is, accordingly, disposed of.
8. Pending applications, if any, shall stand disposed of.
9. There shall be no orders as to costs.
