T.Dhanam v. K.Mari
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 01-07-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI AND CMA NO. 911 OF 2023 CMA No. 909 of 2023:
1. T.Dhanam Appellant(s) Vs
1. K.Mari 2.IFFCO TOKYO General Insurance Company Limited Rep. by its Branch Manager, Sri Nivasam Arcade, First Floor, No.9/4, Advaitha Ashram Road, Salem, Tamil Nadu- 636004.
Respondent(s) CMA No. 911 of 2023:
1. T.Manivasagam Appellant(s) Vs
1. K.Mari 2.IFFCO TOKYO General Insurance Company Limited Rep. by its Branch Manager, Sri Nivasam Arcade, First Floor, No.9/4, Advaitha Ashram Road, Salem, Tamil Nadu- 636004.
Respondent(s) PRAYER in CMA No. 909 of 2023:
Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the Award and Decree dated 16-04-2021 made in MCOP No.1014 of 2018 on the file of the learned Principal Subordinate Court, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Dharmapuri. PRAYER in CMA No. 911 of 2023:
Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the Award and Decree dated 16-04-2021 made in MCOP No.1015 of 2018 on the file of the learned Principal Subordinate Court, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Dharmapuri. For Appellant(s):
Mr.S.Chinnasamy in both appeals For Respondent(s):
Mr. S. Arunkumar for R2 in both appeals R1 - Unclaimed in both appeals
ORDER
The above Civil Miscellaneous Appeal arises against the the Award and Decree dated 16-04-2021 made in MCOP Nos.1014 and 1015 of 2018 on the file of the learned Principal Subordinate Court, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Dharmapuri.
2.It is the case of the claimants that they filed claims for compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act for injuries sustained in the accident. The claimants submitted that the disability caused by the accident has severely affected their earning capacity. Hence, they prayed for enhancement of monthly income, percentage of disability, and other heads of compensation. 3.The Insurance Company, in its written submissions before the Tribunal, contested the claim for enhancement, submitting that the compensation awarded by the Tribunal was fair and adequate. The respondent did not dispute the liability for the accident but contended that the claimants' monthly income and disability assessment were properly considered by the Tribunal.
4.The Tribunal, after considering the evidence, awarded compensation under various heads including disability, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and miscellaneous expenses. The monthly income and percentage of disability were fixed as per the Tribunal's assessment.
5.The learned counsel for the claimants argued that the monthly income of the injured persons was fixed at Rs.6,000/- per month. The percentage of disability should be considered at Rs.7,000/- per percentage. Accordingly, they sought enhancement of compensation under the disability head. 6.The learned counsel for the respondents submitted that the Tribunal had correctly assessed all heads of compensation and opposed the enhancement sought by the claimants.
7.On careful consideration of the pleadings, evidence, and submissions of both parties, the claimants have provided sufficient evidence to justify an enhancement of their monthly income. Hence, this Court fixes the monthly income from Rs.6,000/- to Rs.7,000/- per month. In accordance with the percentage method, the disability compensation is Rs.7,000/- per percentage of
disability. Both the claimants are entitled to compensation calculated on this revised rate. All other heads of compensation awarded by the Tribunal, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and miscellaneous expenses, are confirmed as reasonable. The Court, therefore, partly allows the appeal by enhancing the disability compensation while confirming all other heads of the award.
C.M.A.No.909 of 2023:
Heads of Compensation Award of this Court Disability / Loss of earning capacity Rs.70,000/- Pain and suffering / Loss of amenities Rs.10,000/- Transportation / Miscellaneous expenses Rs.5,000/- Attendant charges Rs.5,000/- Extra nourishment Rs.5,000/- Loss of income Rs.18,000/- Total Compensation Rs.1,13,000/- C.M.A.No.911 of 2023:
Heads of Compensation Award of this Court Disability / Loss of earning capacity Rs.1,40,000/- Pain and suffering / Loss of Rs.25,000/-
Heads of Compensation Award of this Court amenities Transportation / Miscellaneous expenses Rs.30,000/- Attendant charges Rs.10,000/- Extra nourishment Rs.10,000/- Loss of income Rs.1,00,500/- Medical Bills Rs.1,15,426/- Total compensation Rs.4,30,926/- 8.Accordingly, these Civil Miscellaneous Appeals are partly allowed. The 2 nd respondent/Insurance Company is directed to deposit the entire compensation amount of Rs.1,13,000/- awarded by this Court in C.M.A.No.909 of 2023, and a sum of Rs.4,30,926/- awarded by this Court in C.M.A.No.911 of 2023, with interest @7.5% per annum, less the amount already deposited, with proportionate accrued interest and costs, to the credit of M.C.O.P.Nos.1014 and 1015 of 2018, respectively, on the file of the learned Principal Subordinate Court, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Dharmapuri within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Judgment, if not deposited earlier. The claimants are not entitled to get interest for the default period. On
such deposit, the claimants are permitted to withdraw the entire award amount with proportionate accrued interest and costs by making necessary applications. The claimants are directed to pay the Court fee for the compensation amount, if required. The Tribunal below shall not disburse the amount till such time as proof of payment of Court Fee has been produced by the claimants. No costs.
01-07-2025 mps Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes To 1.The Principal Subordinate Judge, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Dharmapuri.
2.The Section Officer, VR Section, Madras High Court.
T.V.THAMILSELVI J.
mps AND CMA NO. 911 OF 2023 01-07-2025