/2022 INSC 0777/
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6164 OF 2022
Velayudhan       …Appellant(s)
Versus
National Insurance Co. Ltd. & Anr.        …Respondent(s)
J U D G M E N T
M.R. SHAH, J.
1. Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned
judgment  and order  dated 23.10.2018 passed  by  the  High
Court of Kerala at Ernakulam in MACA No. 2601/2008, by
which,   the   High   Court   has   partly   allowed   the   said   appeal
and   enhanced   the   total   amount   of   compensation   to   Rs.
8,24,800/­, the original claimant has preferred the present
appeal. 
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2. In   a   vehicular   accident,   the   appellant   herein   –   original
claimant sustained very serious injuries resulting into 68%
permanent disability (the High Court assessed the same as
100%).   The   appellant   sustained   head   injury   with   right
temporal   contusion   with   SDH   and   brain   stem   injury,
fracture   multiple   metatarsal   bones,   fracture   medial
malleolus left foot, pneumothorax left with fracture ribs left
side, lacerated wound  occipital  scalp, contusion  left upper
arm   mid   outer   side   with   limited   movement   of   upper   limb,
burns   injury   left   leg   antero   medially   mid   part   lacerated
wound leg mid anteriorly with adjacent abrasion, lacerated
wound   between   little   toe   and   fourth   toe,   edema   left   foot
dorsal   side   multiple   bodily   injuries.   The   claimant   filed
claim   petition   before   the   learned   Tribunal   towards
compensation.   The   learned   Tribunal   awarded   the
compensation under different heads as under: ­
Head Amount claimed  Amount awarded 
Loss of earning Rs. 45,000/­ Rs. 16,000/­
Expense   for
transportation Rs. 20,000/­ Rs. 5,000/­
Extra
nourishment Rs. 10,000/­ Rs. 4,000/­
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Damages   to
clothing Rs. 0/­ Rs. 5,00/­
Damages   to
motorcycle Rs. 4,000/­ Rs. 3,850/­
Expense   for
treatment Rs. 50,000/­ Rs. 80,450/­
Expense   for
personal
assistance Rs. 1,00,000/­ Rs. 1,00,000/­
Compensation   for
pain and suffering Rs. 1,50,000/­ Rs. 50,000/­
Compensation   for
permanent
disability Rs. 2,00,000/­ Rs. 2,44,800/­
Compensation   for
loss of amenities Rs. 0/­ Rs. 25,000/­
 
The   learned   Tribunal   assessed   the   income   of   the
claimant   at   Rs.   2,000/­   per   month   and   accordingly,
awarded   actual   economic   loss   as   well   as   future   economic
loss.   The   learned   Tribunal   awarded   Rs.   50,000/­   towards
pain   and   suffering.   In   the   appeal,   the   High   Court   though
assessed the permanent disability at 100% for working out
of   the   compensation,   enhanced   the   amount   of
compensation   with   respect   to   the   future   economic   loss
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considering   the   income   of   the   injured   –   claimant   at   Rs.
3,000/­   per   month.   The   High   Court   did   not   enhance   the
amount of compensation under other heads.  
2.1 Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned
judgment   and   order   of   the   High   Court,   the   original
claimant – injured has preferred the present appeal. 
3. We have heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
appellant.  At   the   outset,   it   is   required   to   be  noted   that   in
the vehicular accident the appellant sustained very serious
injuries   referred   to   hereinabove   and   suffered   trauma   and
suffering.   The   learned   Tribunal   and   the   High   Court
assessed and awarded Rs. 50,000/­ only towards pain and
suffering.   Considering  the   serious   injuries   suffered  by   the
appellant – claimant and prolonged hospitalisation and the
pain   and   suffering   and   trauma   suffered   by   the   appellant
due to the accident, we are of the opinion that the amount
of Rs. 50,000/­ awarded towards pain and suffering can be
said   to   on   a   lower   side.   We   are   of   the   opinion   that   in   the
facts   and   circumstances   of   the   case   and   looking   to   the
serious   injuries,   prolonged   hospitalisation   and   the   pain,
shock   and   suffering   and   trauma,   which   might   have   been
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suffered by  the  appellant  – claimant,  it  would be just  and
proper   to   award   Rs.   4,00,000/­   under   the   head   of   pain,
shock, and suffering. 
  
4. Similarly, the High Court has erred in awarding the future
economic   loss   treating   the   income   of   the   claimant   at   Rs.
3,000/­   per   month   only.   The   claimant   was   working   as   a
Mason.   The   permanent   disability   assessed   by   the   High
Court   is   at   100%.   Therefore,   even   considering   the
minimum wages payable to the Mason and the future rise
in   income,   the   claimant   shall   be   entitled   to   the   economic
loss   past   as   well   as   future   considering   the   income   of   the
claimant   at   Rs.   5,000/­   per   month.   Looking   to   the   age   of
the claimant that was 40 years, multiplier of 15 is required
to be applied. 
5. In   view   of   the   above,   the   present   appeal   is   allowed.   The
impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court is
modified awarding Rs. 24,000/­ towards loss of earing; Rs.
9,00,000/­   towards   future   economic   loss   (instead   of   Rs.
5,40,000/­   as   awarded   by   the   High   Court)   and   Rs.
4,00,000/­   towards   pain,   shock,   and   suffering.   Thus,   the
claimant shall be entitled to a total sum of Rs. 15,42,800/­
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with   7.5%   interest   per   annum   from   the   date   of   the   claim
petition,   till   satisfaction.   The   respondent   –   Insurance
Company is directed to pay/deposit the enhanced amount
of   compensation   as   per   the   present   judgment   and   order
within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a
copy of this judgment. The present appeal is partly allowed
to the aforesaid extent. No costs.   
………………………………….J.
[M.R. SHAH]
NEW DELHI; ………………………………….J.
SEPTEMBER 07, 2022 [KRISHNA MURARI]
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