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Judgment
P. Sathasivam, J.—Messrs United India Insurance Company, Chennai-2 is the appellant. The appellant challenges the quantum determined
by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chennai dated 10-8-2000 made in M.C.O.P.No. 2971 of 1996. Since the appellant-Insurance
company challenges the quantum determined by the Tribunal, it is unnecessary for this Court to go into the finding relating to negligence and the
liability of the Insurance Company.
In respect of grievous injuries sustained in a road accident, the minor claimant/first respondent herein, namely, S. Abhinesh prayed for a
compensation of Rs.2,50,000/-through his father and next friend M. Suresh. His father was examined as P.W.1 and he deposed that due to the
accident, his son sustained fracture in his fight hand, fracture in his right shoulder, and damage to his right eye, and he had taken treatment for a
period of 3 months at Stanley Government Hospital. Ex. P-1 is the discharge summary; Ex. P-2 is the medical report issued by Opthalmic
Hospital, Egmore; Ex.P-3 is the O.P. chit; and Ex. P-4 is the certificate issued by Doctor. Apart from the evidence of P.W.1, Doctor who
assessed the disability, was examined as P.W.3. In his evidence, he has stated that on 10-1-99 he examined the minor injured claimant, aged
about 8 years and verified the hospital records. He also noticed skin grafting and damage to his eyes and also fracture in right hand. He assessed
disability in so far as the defect in his right eye to an extent of 50 per cent; and for the fracture in right hand, to an extent of 50 per cent; altogether
the total assessment of disability is 100 per cent. He issued disability certificate which has been marked as Ex. P-8. X-ray pertaining to his right
hand was marked as Ex. P-2; and X-ray pertaining to his head marked as Ex. P-10.
Based on the above evidence, the Tribunal has granted Rs.3,500/- towards transport charges, Rs.1,300/- towards nutritious food. The Tribunal
has also granted Rs.15,000/- towards medical expenses based on the evidence of P.W.1 and the documents. Considering the injury on the right
eye and fracture on the right hand, the length of period of treatment in the hospital, the skin grafting surgery etc., the Tribunal has granted a sum of
Rs.50,000/- towards pain and suffering. Taking note of the disability, namely, 50% plus 50% = total 100 per cent and the evidence of P.W.3, and
inasmuch as the injured claimant being aged about 8 years at the time of the accident, the Tribunal granted Rs.1,60,000/-towards permanent
disability. Inasmuch as the injured claimant has to prolong his life with the said disablement till his life time and it would affect his future earning
power, the Tribunal has fixed Rs.60,000/- towards his loss of earning capacity, and altogether it passed an award of Rs.2,29,800/-.
Mr. K.S. Narasimhan, learned counsel appearing for the appellant, would submit that the award of Rs.1,60,000/- towards permanent disability
and another Rs.60,000/- towards loss of earning power is on the higher side. It is his further contention that the interest awarded at the rate of 12
per cent is also excessive. In so far as the amount towards permanent disability, the Doctor-P.W.3 who assessed the disability is not an
Opthalmist, however, he is competent to assess the disability in respect of other .In the light of the objection raised by the learned counsel for the
appellant, we summoned the injured boy and verified his disability. On verification, we are satisfied that it would be difficult for him to use his right
hand. He cannot lift or raise his right hand beyond certain level. We also noticed a deep injury near right eye. We also verified the discharge
summary, medical report issued by Opthalmic Hospital, Egmore and other documents. Considering the tender age of the injured and of the fact
that he has to settle his remaining period of life with the said disability, we are of the view that the amount of Rs.1,60,000/- for permanent disability
appears to be not on the higher side. For the said reasons, we are not inclined to disturb the same. Likewise, for the same reasons, we intend to
confirm the amount of Rs.60,000/- granted towards future loss of earning power. As said earlier, he cannot use his right hand for writing or for
lifting any object throughout his life time. In such a circumstance, we are unable to accept the argument of the learned counsel for the appellant.
Though learned counsel appearing for the first respondent-claimant prayed for higher compensation than that awarded by the tribunal,
admittedly no cross objection in this appeal or independent appeal praying for higher compensation has been filed before this Court till this time.
Even otherwise, in the absence of additional materials, we are not inclined to accede to her request. Coming to the contention relating to rate of
interest, it is to be noted that the Tribunal passed the impugned award on 10-8-2000. It is not in dispute that only from 2001, based on the change
of economic policy and money transaction and the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, the rate of interest has been reduced to 9 per cent
though the Act provides simple interest for the award amount. Since the accident occurred in the year 1995 and judgement was delivered in 2000
and the injured claimant being a minor and lives with the same disablement even to-day, we are not inclined to alter the rate of interest. We make it
clear that this cannot be cited as a precedent for other cases and considering the peculiar circumstances of this case referred to above, we are
confirming the rate of interest as awarded by the Tribunal.
In the light of what is stated above, we do not find any valid ground for interference; accordingly the Appeal fails and the same is dismissed. No
costs.
Mr. Suresh, the father and next friend of Minor S. Abhinesh, is permitted to withdraw the accrued interest once in three months directly from the
Bank, for the welfare of the minor.