Skaria vs Saju George and Others

P.V. Asha, J—The appellant is the injured in a motor vehicle accident which occurred on 4.10.2002. He was knocked down by a jeep bearing Registration No. KEE-2304 while he was riding a Kinetic Honda Scooter bearing Registration No. KL-7K-2699 through Vaikom-Thodupuzha Public road. He sustained very serious injuries and was taken to hospital. From 4.10.02 to 4.11.02 he underwent treatment as inpatient in the Medical College Hospital, Kottayam. He was admitted in the hospital with lacerated wound right parietal region with fracture scull and penetrating cranial cavity and multiple abrasions. His disability was assessed as 25% to whole body as per Mc Bride Scale, which is permanent in nature.

The claim petition was filed seeking compensation to the tune of Rs. 3,43,000/-. It was claimed that he was a business man earning a monthly income of Rs. 3,000/- per month. Tribunal has passed an award to the tune of Rs. 1,05,968/-. This appeal is filed seeking enhancement of compensation on the ground that the compensation awarded under various heads are thoroughly inadequate.

Learned counsel for the Insurance Company opposed the claim for enhancement pointing out that the compensation awarded is just and reasonable on all heads.

Appellant underwent treatment as inpatient for a period of one month on account of the very serious injuries and he has undergone various courses of treatment as explained by the Tribunal in paragraph 8 of the award. His disability was assessed as 25% as evident from Ext.A9 disability certificate. Though the Tribunal found that the disabilities will affect his career as a business man, it reckoned the disability as 16%. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that the appellant was unable to do any work for a period of four months. The tribunal has granted Rs. 8,000/- only towards loss of earning.

The Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs. 15,000/- towards pain and suffering. In view of the nature of injuries sustained and the treatment undergone, it is just and reasonable to grant a sum of Rs. 35,000/- towards pain and suffering. The disability certificate shows that the appellant had fracture of right frontal bone with orbital fracture and right fronto parietal subdural haematoma. It is also stated that he made very slow recovery and require follow up treatment. He has double vision due to the mal alignment of right eye as a result of the enophthalmos of that eye due to the injury sustained in the accident. Due to the injuries sustained, he has lost normal amenities of life as was being enjoyed before the accident. In the light of the above, we are of the view that an amount of Rs. 30,0000/- is just compensation towards loss of amenities and enjoyment of life as well as shortened expectation of life.

The Tribunal was awarded a sum of Rs. 42,240/- towards loss sustained due to the disability reckoning the disability as 16% without stating any reason for the reduction. We therefore recalculate the compensation under this head adopting the multiplier of 13 admissible to a person aged 50 and reckoning the disability as 25% as found in Ext.A9 certificate. Thus the disability compensation will be Rs. 78,000/- (2000x12x13x25/100). Accordingly, we modify the award as follows:

Thus the appellant will be entitled to a total compensation of Rs. 1,81,728/-. In the light of the decision reported in Supe Dei (Smt.) & Ors. v. National Insurance Co. Ltd. and Anr. [(2009)4 SCC 513], we fix the rate of interest at 9% p.a. The enhanced amount of compensation will carry interest @ 9% per annum from the date of petition. The Insurance Company is directed to deposit the amount less the amount already deposited within a period of three months.

The appeal is accordingly allowed. No cost.