The determination of compensation for work-related injuries under the Workmen Compensation Act is based on the extent of the injuries and the resulting loss of earning capacity, taking into account the potential for future recovery.

JUDGMENT :

(Prayer: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is filed under Section 30 of the Workmen Compensation Act, pleased to set aside the award dated 18.04.2009 and made in W.C.No.239 of 2007 on the file of the learned Deputy Commissioner of Labour-I, Chennai.)

1. Appellant herein is the petitioner who filed W.C.No.P.No.239 of 2007 before the Tribunal/learned Deputy Commissioner of Labour-I, Chennai, claiming compensation from the respondents for the injuries sustained by him due to the accident that had happened in the course of employment under first respondent and second respondent is the company in which first respondent is the insurer.

2. After full trial, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.3,22,560/-, ordered to deposit within 30 days, in case of default, interest is awarded from the date of petition till the deposit made by second respondent.

3. Aggrieved by that order, the appellant preferred this appeal. First respondent remains ex-parte and second respondent is represented through his counsel.

4. According to the appellant, he worked as mason, under the first respondent and involved in construction work in the project of first respondent. In the course of the work, he fell down and sustained grievous injuries. He has been admitted in the hospital for treatment. Even after the treatment, he was unable to walk and do the work as he did before. Hence, he claimed compensation.

5. To prove the claim, the appellant/petitioner relied on Exs.P1 to P10. Oral evidence was also adduced on the side of the appellant/petitioner. Since first respondent remained ex-parte, the employer and employee relationship between first respondent and the appellant is impliedly admitted one, as per the document Ex.P5 Insurance policy, first respondent is insured with second respondent.

6. Based upon Ex.P.1, discharge summary, the Tribunal/the learned Deputy Commissioner of Labour-I, Chennai concluded that during the course of employment with first respondent, the appellant sustained injuries. At the time of argument, the learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the Tribunal had erroneously fixed the loss of earning capacity only at 60%, but on considering the nature of the injuries sustained by the appellant, the Tribunal ought to have fixed loss of earning capacity at 100 %.

7. But the learned counsel for second respondent strongly objected and submitted that though the appellant sustained injuries, he had not suffered any permanent disability. But the appellant is aggrieved with the fixation of loss of earning capacity at 60% by the Tribunal.

8. As per Ex.P.1, discharge summary, the appellant sustained fractures and also took treatment as an inpatient for 88 days. The Doctor also certified that partial disability is 67%. So the facts reveal that he sustained multiple fracture, but not permanent disability. Admittedly, he was aged about 20 years at the time of accident, due to his younger age, his disability and the injuries sustained by him, may also get decreased in future. Therefore, the objection made by the appellant with regard to fixation of loss of earning capacity of 100% is unsustainable one. With regard to the other facts, the Tribunal has rightly fixed the salary and awarded him the said compensation.

9. The learned counsel for the appellant raised another objection with regard to the interest awarded. As per the order of the Tribunal, in case of default, the appellant is entitled to claim interest from the date of the petition till the date of realisation. But, as clearly pointed out by the counsel for the appellant, the interest was not awarded from the date of accident which has happened on 09.08.2006.

10. Admittedly, the case was disposed of by the trial Court/learned Deputy Commissioner of Labour-I, Chennai on 18.04.2009 and the appellant is entitled to claim interest from the date of accident till the date of realisation of the amount. However, only on 05.07.2013, after filing of this appeal, the award amount alone was deposited and the s