Case: Sri. Benson George Vs. Reliance General Insurance Co.Ltd.&amp; Anr

as 100% the need to award compensation separately under the head of loss of amenities or loss of expectation of life may disappear and as a result, only a token or nominal amount may have to be awarded under the head of loss of amenities or loss of expectation of life, as otherwise there may be a duplication in the award of compensation. 4.2 It is submitted that therefore in the facts and circumstances of the case no error has been committed by the High Court in awarding Rs.1,00,000/- towards loss of amenities and happiness. 4.3 It is further submitted by learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Insurance Company that decision of this Court in the case of Raj Kumar (supra) has been subsequently considered and followed by this Court in the case of Lalan D. alias Lal and Anr. vs. Oriental Insurance Company Limited, (2020) 9 SCC 805 . 4.4 It is also contended by learned counsel for the Insurance Company that in the facts and circumstances of the case the High Court has not committed any error in reducing the interest from 9% per annum to 6% per annum. 5. We have learned counsel for the respective parties at length. 6. It is not in dispute and it has come on record that in a vehicular accident the claimant sustained grievous brain injuries. That he was hospitalized for a number of months. That he undergone MRI, CT scans and X-rays. That he sustained right temporal SDH, multiple hemorrhagic contusions on temporal lobe, left parieto-occipital lobe, left parietal lobe and bilateral frontal lobe, hemorrhagic contusions left thalamic region s/o grade II diffuse axonal injury, moderate SAH in right sylvian cistern, moderate diffuse cerebral edema, multiple comminuted and variably depressed fracture in left squamous temporal and left parietal bone, bilateral occipital bone fracture, right sub-occipital SDH. Finally diagnosed that traumatic brain injury sequelae-s/p frontotemporoparietal hemicraniectomy and right lower limb deep vein thrombosis. That the claimant underwent multiple surgeries. Left fronto- temporoparietal decompressive hemicraniectomy with lax duroplasty done on 02.01.2013. He underwent Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrotomy under GA. Since the petitioner sustained very severe injuries to the Brain, he was shifted to the Brain & Spine Centre, Chemmanakary, Kerala, where he was admitted from 16.03.2013 to 03.05.2013. He underwent right side VP shunting (Chabra medium pressure regular) on 25.03.2013 under GA. That the claimant is still in coma and totally bedridden. 7. Considering the prolonged hospitalization and medical treatment and that the claimant underwent multiple surgeries, we are of the opinion that the High Court has erred in awarding Rs.2,00,000/- only under the head pain and suffering. The pain, suffering and trauma suffered by the claimant cannot be compensated in terms of the money. However, still it will be a solace to award suitable compensation under different heads including the pain, shock and suffering, loss of amenities and happiness of life. 7.1 In the facts and circumstances of the case due to the prolonged hospitalization and the multiple brain injuries/injuries sustained by the claimant and that he is still in coma and is bedridden, we are of the opinion that if the amount of compensation under the head of pain, shock and suffering is enhanced to Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs), it can be said to be a reasonable amount under the head pain, shock and suffering. 7.2 Similarly, the amount of Rs.1,00,000/- awarded by the High Court under the head loss of amenities and happiness can also be said to be on lower side. As observed hereinabove no amount can compensate the loss of amenities and happiness more particularly a person who is in coma since number of years and is bedridden for the entire life. In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that if the amount of compensation under the head loss of amenities and happiness is enhanced to Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs) from that of Rs.1,00,000/- as awarded by the High Court, it can be said to be a reasonable amount under the head loss of amenities and happiness. 8. Now with regard to reliance placed upon the decisions of this Court in the case of Raj Kumar (supra) and Lalan D. alias Lal (supra), relied upon by learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Insurance Company is concerned, we are of the opinion that the amount of compensation to be awarded under the heads, pain and suffering and loss of amenities and happiness, there cannot be straight jacket formula. It depends upon the facts and circumstances of each case and it varies from person to person who has suffered due to the accident. So far as awarding compensation on the head of pain, shock and suffering is concerned, multiple factors are required to be considered namely, prolonged hospitalization; the grievous injuries sustained; the operations underwent and the consequent pain, discomfort and suffering. 8.1 Similarly, loss of amenities and happiness suffered by the claimant and his family members also depend upon various factors, including the position of the claimant post-accident and whether, he is in a position to enjoy life and/or happiness which he was enjoying prior to the accident. To what extent the claimant has lost the amenities in life and the happiness will depend on the facts of each case. Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of the present case when the claimant is in coma even after a period of eight long years and that he will have to be permanently bedridden during his entire life, as observed above the amount of compensation awarded under the head loss of amenities and happiness of Rs.1,00,000/- only is unreasonable and meagre. 8.2 Now so far as the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court reducing the amount of interest from 9% to 6% per annum is concerned, in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the same is not required to be interfered with by this Court in exercise of powers under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.

Decision (1 = appeal accepted, 0 = rejected): 1

Explanation:
1[ds]7. Considering the prolonged hospitalization and medical treatment and that the claimant underwent multiple surgeries, we are of the opinion that the High Court has erred in awarding Rs.2,00,000/- only under the head pain and suffering. The pain, suffering and trauma suffered by the claimant cannot be compensated in terms of the money. However, still it will be a solace to award suitable compensation under different heads including the pain, shock and suffering, loss of amenities and happiness of life.7.1 In the facts and circumstances of the case due to the prolonged hospitalization and the multiple brain injuries/injuries sustained by the claimant and that he is still in coma and is bedridden, we are of the opinion that if the amount of compensation under the head of pain, shock and suffering is enhanced to Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs), it can be said to be a reasonable amount under the head pain, shock and suffering.7.2 Similarly, the amount of Rs.1,00,000/- awarded by the High Court under the head loss of amenities and happiness can also be said to be on lower side. As observed hereinabove no amount can compensate the loss of amenities and happiness more particularly a person who is in coma since number of years and is bedridden for the entire life.In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that if the amount of compensation under the head loss of amenities and happiness is enhanced to Rs.10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lakhs) from that of Rs.1,00,000/- as awarded by the High Court, it can be said to be a reasonable amount under the head loss of amenities and happiness.8. Now with regard to reliance placed upon the decisions of this Court in the case of Raj Kumar (supra) and Lalan D. alias Lal (supra), relied upon by learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Insurance Company is concerned, we are of the opinion that the amount of compensation to be awarded under the heads, pain and suffering and loss of amenities and happiness, there cannot be straight jacket formula. It depends upon the facts and circumstances of each case and it varies from person to person who has suffered due to the accident. So far as awarding compensation on the head of pain, shock and suffering is concerned, multiple factors are required to be considered namely, prolonged hospitalization; the grievous injuries sustained; the operations underwent and the consequent pain, discomfort and suffering.8.1 Similarly, loss of amenities and happiness suffered by the claimant and his family members also depend upon various factors, including the position of the claimant post-accident and whether, he is in a position to enjoy life and/or happiness which he was enjoying prior to the accident. To what extent the claimant has lost the amenities in life and the happiness will depend on the facts of each case.Therefore, in the facts and circumstances of the present case when the claimant is in coma even after a period of eight long years and that he will have to be permanently bedridden during his entire life, as observed above the amount of compensation awarded under the head loss of amenities and happiness of Rs.1,00,000/- only is unreasonable and meagre.8.2 Now so far as the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court reducing the amount of interest from 9% to 6% per annum is concerned, in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the same is not required to be interfered with by this Court in exercise of powers under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.