The New India Assurance Company Ltd. v. Laxmi Devi @ Lachho Devi and Ors.

Delhi High Court · 13 Apr 2015 · 2015:DHC:3333
G. P. Mittal
MAC. APP. No. 1281/2012
2015:DHC:3333
civil appeal_dismissed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court dismissed the insurer's appeal and upheld the compensation awarded to the injured claimant for a motor vehicle accident, holding the quantum of damages reasonable and justified.

Full Text
Translation output
MAC. APP. No. 1281/2012 HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 13th April, 2015
MAC.APP. 1281/2012
THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE COMPANY LTD. ..... Appellant
Through: Mr. Vinod Trishal, Advocate
VERSUS
LAXMI DEVI @ LACHHO DEVI AND ORS. ..... Respondents
Through: Mr. Pramod Kumar, Advocate for Respondent no.1.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G.P.MITTAL G. P. MITTAL, J. (ORAL)
JUDGMENT

1. The appeal is for reduction of compensation of Rs.1,68,268/- awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (the Claims Tribunal) in favour of Respondent no.1 for having suffered injuries in a motor vehicular accident which occurred on 15.04.2009.

2. The compensation awarded by the Claims Tribunal under various heads is extracted hereunder: 2015:DHC:3333

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Sl.      Compensation under various         Awarded by the                 │
│                                      Heads                     Claims Tribunal                │
│                   No.                                              (in Rs.)                   │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                     1.    Loss of Income                                       23,268/-       │
│                     2.    Medical Expenses                                     15,000/-       │
│                     3.    Special Diet                                         15,000/-       │
│                     4.    Conveyance Charges                                   15,000/-       │
│                     5.    Pain, Suffering, Inconvenience and             1,00,000/-           │
│                           Frustration                                                         │
│                                                    TOTAL                 1,68,268/-           │
│ 3.       Respondent no.1 met with an accident while she was returning from                    │
│          Maharishi Balmiki Hospital where she remained under treatment for                    │
│          various ailments. After the accident, Respondent no.1 was treated by                 │
│          the doctors of Meena Indra Hospital and Shiv Jivodya Janta Hospital                  │
│          on 19.04.2009. The concerned Doctor of Meena Indra Hospital had                      │
│          referred Respondent no.1 to Shiv Jivodya Janta Hospital. Respondent                  │
│          no.1 was stated to have suffered fracture of right femur. She was                    │
│          immobilised with 4 kg. weight initially for a period of two months.                  │
│          On appreciation of evidence, the Claims Tribunal found that                          │
│          Respondent no.1 could not join her work for a period of six months                   │
│          and therefore, awarded a sum of Rs.23,268/-(Rs.3,878/- x 6) towards                  │
│ MAC. APP. No. 1281/2012                                          Page 2 of 3                  │
│                                                                               2015:DHC:3333   │
│          loss of income from selling general merchant articles. She was further               │
│          awarded a compensation of Rs.15,000/- each towards expenditure on                    │
│          treatment and Special diet and Conveyance charges. Respondent no.1                   │
│          had placed on record Bills worth Rs.5,300/-. Considering the nature of               │
│          injuries, award of compensation of Rs.15,000/- towards expenditure                   │
│          on treatment cannot be said to be unreasonable. Similarly, considering               │
│          the nature of injuries, compensation of Rs.15,000/- each towards                     │
│          Special diet and Conveyance charges is also just and reasonable.                     │
│          Taking into consideration the nature of injuries and the fracture of                 │
│          right femur, the award of sum of Rs.1,00,000/- towards pain and                      │
│          suffering, inconvenience and frustration also cannot be said to be                   │
│          exorbitant and excessive.                                                            │
│ 4.       The appeal therefore, has to fail; the same is accordingly dismissed.                │
│ 5.       Pending applications also stand disposed of.                                         │
│ 6.       The statutory amount, if any, deposited shall be released to the                     │
│          Appellant Insurance Company.                                                         │
│                                                         (G.P. MITTAL)                         │
│                                                              JUDGE                            │
│ APRIL 13, 2015                                                                                │
│ pst                                                                                           │
│ MAC. APP. No. 1281/2012                                         Page 3 of 3                   │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

4. The appeal therefore, has to fail; the same is accordingly dismissed.

5. Pending applications also stand disposed of.

6. The statutory amount, if any, deposited shall be released to the Appellant Insurance Company.

JUDGE APRIL 13, 2015 pst