RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
D.C.Dalela, J.
Jitendra Singh - Appellant
Versus
Islam And Ors. - Respondent
S.B. C.M.A. No. 833 of 1955.
Decided On : 25-07-1997
Compensation - Motor Accident - Assessment of damages for pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses
Fact of the Case:
The appellant was hit by a bus, resulting in the amputation of his leg. The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal awarded a total compensation of Rs. 54,000, which the appellant appealed for enhancement.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the appellant was entitled to a compensation of Rs. 3,04,000 for non-pecuniary special damages, in addition to the pecuniary damages awarded by the Tribunal.
Issues: Assessment of compensation for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages, and the enhancement of the total compensation awarded by the Tribunal.
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the principles laid down in the cases of R.D. Hattangadi v. Pest Control (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Dr. Gop Ramchandani v. Onkar Singh to determine the compensation for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages.
Final Decision: The appeal was partly allowed, and the total compensation was enhanced to Rs. 3,04,000 from the original Rs. 54,000 awarded by the Tribunal.
Broadly speaking, while fixing an amount of compensation payable to a victim of an accident, the damages have to be assessed separately as pecuniary damages and special damages. Pecuniary damages are those which the victim has actually incurred and which are capable of being calculated in terms of money; whereas, non-pecuniary damages are those which are incapable of being assessed by arithmetical calculations. In order to appreciate two concepts, pecuniary damages may include expenses incurred by the claimant: (i) medical attendance; (ii) loss of earning of profit up to the date of trial; and (iii) other material loss. So far as nonpecuniary damages are concerned, they may include (i) damages for mental and physical shock, pain and suffering, already suffered or likely to be suffered in future; (ii) damages to compensate for the loss of amenities of life which may include a variety of matters, i.e., on account of injury the claimant may not be able to walk, run or sit; (iii) damages for the loss of expectation of life, i.e., on account of injury the normal longevity of the person concerned is shortened; and (iv) inconvenience, hardship, discomfort, disappointment, frustration and mental stress in life.
In this case, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has awarded non-pecuniary special damages of Rs. 3,00,000/-.
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