HC doubles compensation to accident victim

The Madras High Court has enhanced the compensation awarded by a tribunal to a person, who was injured in an accident leading to amputation of his legs, from over Rs 20 lakh to Rs 45 lakh.

The matter relates to a civil miscellaneous appeal filed by New India Assurance Company Limited against the order passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chennai, in 2012 awarding compensation of Rs 20,93,500 to R.Nagaraj.

Nagaraj, a cleaner-cum-load man, was travelling in a mini-lorry from Hosur to Bengaluru on December 5, 2009 when the vehicle collided with a Karnataka Transport Corporation bus, a motor cycle and another KTC bus.

He sustained severe injuries and both legs had to be amputated.

A division bench of justices N Kirubakaran and R.Pongiappan in its order recently said, "... the victim would not be in a position to move on his own and he would not be able to enjoy his life."
The amount includes Rs five lakh to his wife for "loss of material pleasure" and Rs 10 lakh towards "attendant charges."