Case: S. Thangaraj Vs. National Insurance Co. Ltd. Rep. by the Branch Manager

3. The accident took place on 1 August 2004. The appellant was 26 years old at the time of the accident. The accident took place when the appellant was a pillion rider on a motor cycle ridden by one Edwin. As the motor cycle was proceeding from Marthandam, a lorry bearing Registration No.TN 69 Z 2979 dashed against it. The lorry thereafter dashed against an electric pole and collided with a residential property resulting in the death of an occupant of the house. The appellant sustained serious injuries in the accident. The injuries have been described in the evidence of PW 4, the doctor at the hospital where the appellant was treated. The appellant sustained a fracture in his spinal cord, right leg and right hip bone. As a result of the accident the appellant has no sensation or movement in his legs. The Tribunal accepted the evidence of PW 4 and observedPW 4 the doctor has stated in his evidence that below the abdomen of the petitioner, there is no movement and sensation in twoTribunal determined the disability at 70%, on the basis of medical opinion. The Tribunal computed the compensation payable to the appellant on account of the loss of income occasioned by the disability at Rs. 9,72,000. However, on the basis of the opinion of the doctor that the disability was to the extent of 70 per cent, the net amount was determined at Rs. 6,80,400. After taking into account the medical and other expenses, the Tribunal awarded a total compensation of Rs. 11,27,359 together with interest of 12 per cent per annum.4. Before the High Court, the insurer filed an appeal against the award of the Tribunal. The appellant filed cross objections. The High Court has reduced the interest component from 12 per cent per annum to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Court's reasoning:
7. Having perused the order passed by the High Court, we are not in agreement with the submission of the insurer that there was a concession on the part of the appellant before the High Court which must bind him. The statement made by counsel for the appellant before the High Court was on whether the Tribunal had granted just and reasonable compensation. Whether in fact the compensation which has been granted is just and reasonable cannot hence be construed as a matter of concession and it would not preclude the appellant from raising a contest in these proceedings.8. On perusing the record it is evident that the injuries sustained by the appellant are indeed of a serious nature. As a result of the multiple fractures sustained by him, the appellant has lost complete sensation below the abdomen. Evidently he cannot work any more as load man. In these circumstances, the assessment of disability at 70 per cent is incorrect. On a realistic view of the matter, the nature of the disability must be regarded as being complete. In the circumstances, we find no reason or justification for the deduction of an amount of Rs. 2,91,600 by the Tribunal (Rs. 9,72,000 minus Rs. 6,80,400). The amount so deducted must be restored and is rounded off to Rs. 3,00,000. Moreover we are of the view that the appellant is entitled to interest at the rate of 9 per cent per annum from the date of the claim petition.