The court has the authority to enhance the quantum of compensation awarded by the Tribunal based on the assessment of evidence and the nature of injuries sustained.

JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 against the Judgment and decree dated 15.07.2010, in M.C.O.P.No. 678 of 2006, on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, (Chief Judicial Magistrate), Krishnagiri.)

1. The claimant/appellant is the appellant herein seeking enhancement of compensation.

2. For the sake of convenience, the parties are referred as per ranking before the trial Court.

3. On the point of quantum, both the parties are heard.

4. The brief case of the appellant/claimant is as follows:-

On 25.02.2004, at about 08.15a.m., the claimant/appellant was proceeding and stopped his vehicle namely TVS 50 bearing Registration No.TN 29 S 5559 at the left side of the road at Soolagiri to Uhdanapalli Junction road, the driver of the Hyundai Car bearing Registration No.KA 03 P 8274 belonging to the 1st respondent and insured with the 2nd respondent, drove the same in a rash and reckless and negligent manner, in an uncontrollable speed without sounding horn, disobeying the rules of road came from Hosur to Krishnagiri dashed against the TVS 50 which was stopped there and caused the accident. Due to the impact, the claimant/appellant had sustained injuries.

5. Before the Tribunal, Ex.P7 Disability Certificate was issued and P.W.2 Doctor D.V.Gandhi was examined and based upon the oral and documentary evidence, the Court has found that P.W.2 is not a Doctor who had given the treatment to the appellant and he has seen the appellant only after 5 years from the accident. He has not stated about the disability.

6. After hearing both sides and taking note of the fact in Exhibit P7 Disability Certificate and the evidence of P.W.2 Doctor- D.V.Gandhi, the "disability" has been fixed at 35% (Rs.2000/- for one unit of disability namely Rs.70,000/-) and accordingly, awarded a sum of Rs.70,000/- for 'disability' and the loss of other heads are also appears to be just and fair.

7. However, after going through Exhibit-P2 Discharge summary and taking into consideration of treatment taken in hospital periodically and in the interest of justice, Rs.5,000/- is hereby awarded for 'attender charges'.

8. Furthermore, the Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs.20,000/- towards pain and sufferings' and it has been reduced to Rs.15,000/-. Taking into consideration, the nature of injuries and his treatment taken in hospital, this Court is enhanced for a sum of Rs.5,000/-under the head of 'Transport charges'- and Rs.5,000/- under the head of 'Extra Nourishment'. The appellant/claimant is entitled to a sum of Rs.10,000/- towards 'loss of amenities'. Furthermore, the Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs.13,500/- towards 'loss of income', Rs.13,550/- towards 'Medical Bills' and the same are hereby confirmed.

9. Accordingly, the award of the Tribunal in M.C.O.P.No. 678 of 2006 is modified as follows:-

The compensation awarded by the Tribunal is enhanced from Rs.1,22,050/- to Rs.1,37,050/- which shall carry interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum.

10. In the result,

(i) The Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is partly allowed to the limited extent indicated above. No costs.

(ii) The quantum of compensation awarded by the Tribunal is enhanced from Rs.1,22,050/- t