DELHI HIGH COURT
Suresh Kait, J.
New India Assurance Co.Ltd. - Appellant
Versus
Sita Ram and Ors. - Resopndent
MAC.APP. 26/2012
Decided On : 28-03-2014
Motor Vehicle Act - Section 163A - The Court refers to section 163A of the Motor Vehicle Act, which provides for compensation in case of death or permanent disablement due to an accident involving a motor vehicle. The Court considers the compensation granted under this section and assesses it based on the evidence and circumstances of the case.
Fact of the Case:
The appellant appeals against the compensation awarded by the Tribunal for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The appellant argues that there was no negligence on the part of the driver of the offending vehicle. The Tribunal awarded compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, loss of amenities, disfigurement, and pain and suffering, but did not grant compensation for loss of earning capacity and future prospects. The Court assesses 50% contributory negligence on the part of the injured and 50% on the part of the driver. The Court also assesses future loss due to permanent disability and calculates the compensation accordingly. The enhanced compensation is directed to be deposited with the Registrar General of the Court, with penal interest for delayed payment.
Finding of the Court:
The Court examines the evidence and finds that the driver of the offending vehicle cannot be ruled out as negligent. The Court also considers the nature of the injured's work as a carpenter and assesses the functional disability. The Court refers to the case of Raj Kumar Vs. Ajay Kumar and Anr. (2011) 1 SCC 343 for guidance. The Court enhances the compensation based on its assessment of contributory negligence and future loss due to permanent disability.
Ratio Decidendi: The Court determines the percentage of contributory negligence and assesses the compensation based on the nature of the injured's work and functional disability. The Court also considers the case of Raj Kumar Vs. Ajay Kumar and Anr. (2011) 1 SCC 343 for guidance.
Result: The Court partly allows the appeal and enhances the compensation awarded by the Tribunal. The appellant/Insurance Company is directed to deposit the enhanced compensation amount with the Registrar General of the Court. The Registrar General is directed to release the amount to the respondent/claimant upon necessary steps being taken. The Registry is directed to release the statutory amount to the appellant.
Suresh Kait, J. :--(Oral)
1. The present appeal has been preferred against the impugned award dated 01.10.2011, whereby Ld. Tribunal has awarded compensation for an amount of Rs.3,16,000/- with interest @ 7.5% per annum from the date of filing of the Claim Petition till realization of the amount.
2. Ld. Counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant submits that there was no negligence on the part of the driver of the offending vehicle, despite the Ld. Tribunal has awarded the compensation noted above.
3. Ld. Counsel submits that the claimant has specifically admitted that he had got down from a running bus and suffered injuries. Thus, there was no fault of the driver of the offending vehicle.
4. It is not in dispute that respondent no. 1 received injuries while getting down from the offending bus. Thus, the offending bus was involved in the alleged accident.
5. If the claimant does not prove the negligence of the driver of the offending vehicle, the involvement of the vehicle is necessary and if it is proved, even the compensation granted under section 163A of the Motor Vehicle Act would have been more than the award granted by the Tribunal in this case.
6. It is also not disputed that respondent no. 1 received 40% permanent disability in relation to left lower limb due to injuries received in the accident. He was working as a carpenter. Certainly, the disability received by him would affect his avocation to the maximum.
7. Ld. Tribunal has recorded in the award that the injuries suffered by him during the course of the accident is an act of contributory negligence, which cannot be overlooked.
8. Thus an amount of Rs.56,000/- was granted for medicines and treatment, Rs.50,000/- for loss of income on account of leave and Rs.2,00,000/- for loss of amenities of life, loss of disfigurement and for pain and suffering. However, compensation is not granted for loss of earning capacity and future prospectus.
9. While exercising the appellate jurisdiction, the Court has to see whether just and fair compensation has been granted or not?
10. It is important to note that the FIR was registered against respondent no. 2. PW-3, HC Hari Singh has testified the fact that the investigation had been completed and filed the challan before the court. Therefore, the negligence on the part of the driver of the offending vehicle cannot be ruled out. Moreover, the driver of the vehicle did not appear as a witness to disprove the veracity of the facts narrated in the criminal records. Considering the facts and circumstances, I assess 50% as contributory negligence on the part of the injured/claimant and 50% on the part of the driver of offending vehicle.
11. Undisputedly, the injured received 40% permanent disability in relation to left lower limb. Therefore, the injured is entitled for the compensation on account of future loss due to permanent disability. In the assessment of future loss due to permanent disability, the functional disability is to be assessed, whereas functional disability resulting from an accident has to be judged with reference to the nature of work being performed by the person suffering the disability.
12. In the present case, the injured was a carpenter and sustained 48% permanent disability in relation to left upper limb. In view of above facts and the dictum of Raj Kumar Vs. Ajay Kumar and Anr. (2011) 1 SCC 343, the functional disability is assessed at 24% qua whole body. Accordingly, compensation comes as under:-
Sr. No.
Heads
Calculation as per MACT
Calculation as per this Court
1.
Loss of future income
Nil
Rs.10,64,160/- (Rs.3,695 + 50%) x 12 x 16
2.
For medicines and treatment
Rs.56,000/-
Rs.56,000/-
3.
Loss on account of leaves
Rs.50,000
Rs.50,000
4.
Loss of amenities, Loss o
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