Savita Pawar v. The Oriental Insurance Company Limited & Anr.

Delhi High Court · 01 Dec 2017 · 2017:DHC:7440
R.K. Gauba
MAC App. No.1083/2012
2017:DHC:7440
civil appeal_allowed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court reduced the claimant's contributory negligence from 40% to 10% in a motor accident claim, increasing the compensation payable by the insurer accordingly.

Full Text
Translation output
MAC App. No.1083/2012 HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 1st December, 2017 MAC. APPEAL No.1083/2012
SAVITA PAWAR ..... Appellant
Through: Mr. Sanjeev Srivastava, Advocate
VERSUS
THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED & ANR.
.….Respondents
Through: Mr. R.K. Tripathi, Advocate for R-1.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.K.GAUBA
JUDGMENT
(ORAL)

1. The appellant was the claimant before the tribunal in a motor accident claim case (Suit No.771/10), instituted by her on 12.04.2007, seeking compensation for the injuries suffered in a motor vehicular accident that took place on 25.02.2007. The tribunal, by judgment dated 06.01.2012, held the second respondent, the driver-cum-owner of the motorcycle bearing registration No.DL-3S-AN-1090 to be negligent. It, however, also found the claimant to be guilty of contributory negligence since she had attempted to cross the road from a place where there was no zebra-crossing available, and assessed the contributory negligence to be to the extent of forty per 2017:DHC:7440 MAC App. No.1083/2012 cent (40%) and, thus, while computing the compensation in the total sum of Rs.3,00,000/-, directed the first respondent, the insurer of the offending vehicle, to pay only sixty per cent (60%) of the said amount.

2. The appeal is pressed only on the question of contributory negligence.

3. Having heard the learned counsel on both sides, this court is of the view that in the given facts and circumstances, the contributory negligence deserves to be reduced to ten per cent (10%).

4. Ordered accordingly.

5. The insurance company is directed to pay Rs.2,70,000/- (Rupees Two Lacs Seventy Thousand Only) as compensation with corresponding interest.

6. The insurance company is directed to satisfy the modified award by requisite deposit of the balance of its liability with the tribunal within thirty days.

7. The appeal stands disposed of in above terms. R.K.GAUBA, J. DECEMBER 01, 2017 vk