Supreme Court awards Rs 1 crore compensation in road accident disability case
The Supreme Court of India recently awarded over Rs 1 crore in compensation to a road accident victim who suffered severe cognitive and visual impairments. This ruling overturned a High Court decision that had reduced the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal’s (MACT) original award.
Case Details
A private firm manager earning Rs 25,000 monthly sustained grievous injuries about a decade ago, resulting in partial blindness and cognitive issues that rendered him permanently disabled. The apex court assessed his functional disability at 100%, emphasizing the impact on his earning capacity based on age, profession, and post-injury limitations.
Compensation Breakdown
The court recalculated the total at Rs 97,73,011, plus 7.5% interest per annum from the claim filing date until realization. It criticized the High Court for lacking cogent reasons to lower the MACT’s enhanced damages and stressed structured evaluations in such claims.
Legal Principles
Judges highlighted that compensation must reflect actual loss of earning potential, not just physical disability percentage, considering the victim’s pre-accident occupation and future prospects. This aligns with precedents prioritizing “just compensation” as a moral necessity in disability cases.
