Case: K. Suresh Vs. New India Assurance Co.Ltd

11.3.2002 about 4.00 p.m. the claimant-appellant (hereinafter referred to as ‘the claimant) was hit from the behind by an auto bearing registration number TN- 9 C 7755 which was driven in a rash and negligent manner and in the accident he sustained triple fracture in spinal cord, fracture in left leg neck of femur, fracture in right hand shoulder, deep cut and degloving injury over right left thigh bone and multiple injuries all over the body.12. After the accident the claimant was admitted in M.R. Hospital where he availed treatment. After the treatment, the dislocation of the bones got reduced, pedical screws were inserted into pedicles of D11 vertebra and pedicle screws were passed into pedicles of L1 vertebra. Two screws on left thigh were fixed using a rod each. That apart, decompression of D12 vertebra was done and bone chips were placed in the intertransverse area on both sides. He was hospitalized for 28 days. The victim had numbness below the knee joint and was facing difficulty to stand and sit comfortably. As the evidence on record would reveal he has been constantly availing physiotherapy treatment facing difficulty in carrying out his normal activities. A disability certificate contained as Ex.P4 was filed before the tribunal which showed permanent disability at 75%.13. The tribunal, as it appears from the award, had also assessed the permanent disability at 75% as fixed by PW-4, Dr. Thiagarajan. It had awarded Rs.25,00,000/- under various heads, namely, transport charges, extra nourishment, medical expenses, additional medical expenses, pain and sufferings suffered by family members of the claimant, mental agony, additional transport charges, inability of the appellant to participate in public functions, loss of marital life, pain and suffering, permanent disability and14. Before the High Court as serious objections were raised pertaining to percentage of disability, the claimant was referred to the Medical Board and it was found that he had compression fracture which had healed with persistence of pain in the back with root involvement causing grade IV power in left lower limb and, accordingly, the Board fixed the permanent disability at 40%. The High Court adverted to the concept ofnd opined that the quantum of damages fixed should be in proportionate to the injuries caused. It referred to certain authorities and opined that Rs.2,00,000/- towards medical expenses, Rs.5,000/- each for transport charges and extra nourishment, Rs.2,50,000/- towards pain and suffering, Rs.50,000/- for medical expenses and Rs.4,68,000/- towardscapacity would be the just amount of compensation. Thus, the total amount as determined by the High Court came to Rs.9,78,000/-. The High Court reduced the interest to 7.5% from 9% as granted by the tribunal. Be it noted, the said judgment and order dated 27.1.2010 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 1989 of 2005 whereby the High Court has reduced the compensation granted by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (II Small Causes Court), Chennai, on an application being moved under Section 166 of the Act is the subject-matter of challenge herein.

Court's reasoning:
27. Presently to the grant of compensation on other scores. It is noticeable that the High Court has reduced the additional medical expenses from Rs.2,00,000/- to Rs.50,000/-. In our considered opinion, the same is not correct as there is ample evidence on record as regards the necessity for treatment in future. It is demonstrable that pedicle screws were passed into pedicles of D11 vertebra; pedicle screws were passed into pedicles of L1 vertebra; and two screws on left thigh were connected using a rod each. That may be required to be removed or scanned from time to time depending upon other aspects. That apart, there is persistent pain and as medically advised physiotherapy is necessary and hence, continuous treatment has to be availed of. Thus, the High Court was not justified in reducing the said amount.The High Court has deleted the additional transport charges. We are disposed to think that while availing treatment the said expenses would be imperative. Hence, there was no justification to reduce the same and, accordingly, we restore it.30. It is perceptible that the High Court has deleted the amount awarded under the head of pain and suffering by family members of the claimant and the amount granted towards loss of marital life. There is no iota of evidence with regard to loss of marital life, hence, we do not find any error in the said deletion. As far as grant of compensation on the score of pain and suffering suffered by the family members of claimant is concerned, the same is not permissible and, accordingly, we hold that that has been correctly deleted.31. The High Court has deleted an amount of Rs.3,00,000/- and a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- towards mental agony and inability on the part of the claimant to participate in public functions respectively. We have already determined Rs.2,00,000/- under the heading of pain and suffering already suffered and to be suffered and Rs.2,50,000/- under the heading of permanent disability and hence, no different sum need be awarded under the heading of mental agony. As far as participation in public functions is concerned, there is no evidence in that regard and, therefore, we are disposed to think that the finding of the High Court on that score is totally justified and does not call for any interference.32. Calculated on the aforesaid base, the compensation would be payable on the headings, namely, transport charges, extra-nourishment, medical expenses, additional medical expenses, additional transport charges, pain and suffering,capacity and permanent disability and the amount on the aforesaid scores would be, in toto, Rs.13,48,000/-. The said amount shall carry interest at the rate of 7.5% from the date of application till the date of payment. The same shall be deposited before the tribunal within a period of two months and the tribunal shall disburse 50% of the amount in favour of the claimant and the rest of the amount shall be deposited in a nationalized bank for a period of three years. Be it clarified if the earlier awarded sum has been deposited, the differential sum shall be deposited within the stipulated time as mentioned hereinabove and the disbursement shall take place accordingly.