Karnataka High Court
Sridevi - Appellant
Versus
Mastak Ahamad - Respondent
Decided On : 07-25-00
M.F.A. : 4219 of 1996
Compensation - Motor Accident Claims - - [Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 166] - The court considered the negligence of the truck driver and awarded compensation for medical expenses and general damages. The appeal abated for damages for pain and suffering but not for other claims such as expenses on medicines, special diet, conveyance, etc.
Fact of the Case:
The appeal was against the inadequate compensation granted to the deceased appellant for injuries sustained in a motor accident. The court considered the negligence of the truck driver and the expenses incurred by the father for the injured petitioner's treatment.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the compensation granted was fair based on the evidence available and dismissed the appeal.
Issues: The main issue was the adequacy of the compensation granted for the injuries sustained in the motor accident.
Ratio Decidendi: The appeal abated for damages for pain and suffering but not for other claims such as expenses on medicines, special diet, conveyance, etc. The court found the compensation granted to be fair based on the evidence available.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the appeal, upholding the compensation granted by the trial court.
( 1 ) THIS appeal is directed against the award dated 17. 2. 1993 passed by the Principal District Judge, motor Accidents Claims Tribunal at Dhar-wad on 12. 2. 1993 granting a total sum of rs. 72,000 to the deceased appellant in respect of the accident on 11. 3. 1987 near rachoteshwar Temple in Vokkalgeri Oni, gadag, in which accident the deceased is said to have suffered injuries initially (but succumbed to such injuries later ).
( 2 ) CLAIMING a total compensation of rs. 4,00,000, a petition was filed by the deceased Sridevi who was aged about four years at the time of accident, through her father as guardian alleging that the deceased Sridevi was injured while she was going to the temple by the truck bearing no. CNB 4373 which was driven by the respondent No. 1. The respondent No. 2 was the owner and the respondent No. 3 was the insurer of the vehicle. Before the trial court, PWs 1 to 3 were examined and Exhs. P-l to P-3 were marked and no evidence was adduced on the side of the respondents. The insurance company contested the claim by alleging that the accident was solely due to the negligent act of the child and not on account of negligence on the part of the truck driver. Considering the issue regarding negligence, the tribunal came to the conclusion that the accident was due to the negligence of driver of the truck bearing No. CNB 4373 and granted a sum of Rs. 12,000 for the expenses incurred by the father towards treatment of the injured petitioner as against the claim of Rs. 45,000 as compensation. For the general damages, a sum of Rs. 60,000 has been granted. Thus a total amount of rs. 72,000 was granted as compensation. Aggrieved by the inadequacy of the compensation, the above appeal was preferred by the injured Sridevi through her father as guardian Mallikarjunayya. During the pendency of the appeal, the injured child appears to have died and father, mother, sister and brother of the appellant were brought on record as legal representatives.
( 3 ) MR. Hatti appearing for the appellants contended that the compensation of 'rs. 72,000 was inadequate. The medical expenses which was claimed as Rs. 45,000 ought to have been allowed. No amount was awarded for further medical expenses and further treatment of the child. The grant of global compensation of Rs. 60,000 for pain and suffering, loss of amenities and general damages is on the lower side.
( 4 ) IT is also necessary to point out that after the appellant (Sridevi) had died, no additional grounds were raised.
( 5 ) WE have considered the submissions made by Mr. Haiti, learned counsel for the appellants and the learned counsel for respondent Nos. 2 and 3.
( 6 ) THE first question to be considered is, whether the cause of action survives in respect of injuries suffered by the. appellant, for the legal representatives to continue the appeal. The matter is covered by the decision of the High Court of Delhi in v. Mepherson v. Shiv Charan Singh, 1998 acj 601 (Delhi), wherein the learned single Judge has considered the question of abatement of the appeal. This is what has been laid down in that case:"so far as the contention of Mr. Tarun johri about the claim for damages which was on account of suffering and pain suffered by the deceased, to my mind, it would abate on the death of the injured. But so far as other claims under other heads are concerned those would not come to an end on the death of the objector. The right to sue would survive even on the death of the objector. As a matter of fact claims on account of the special diet, medicine, conveyance, etc. , are such which related to loss of property, therefore, right to sue would not abate on the death of the objector. It would survive to his legal heirs as held by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case of Joti Ram v. Chaman Lal, 1984 ACJ 645 (Pandh ). "we are in agreement with the above proposition of law and we hold that the appeal abates so far as claim for damages for pain and suffer
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