Vinaben Amarsinh Baria v. Mahendrasinh Ratansinh Patel
2023-08-03
GITA GOPI
body2023
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT : 1. The claim petition being Motor Accident Claim Petition No. 1220 of 2017 (Old No. 565 of 2007) was moved by the appellant – claimant, who, at the relevant time, was a minor aged 16 years. 2. The facts of the case are that on 27.09.2006, the appellant – claimant was travelling in a Jeep bearing registration No. GJ-17-C- 3439 driven by the respondent No. 1 herein – original opponent No. 1, which was stated to be in moderate speed, following traffic rules. At about 16:00 hours, when the said Jeep was passing near Sajivav village, the respondent No. 3 came driving Tractor bearing registration No. GJ-17-D-5193 with Trailor bearing registration No. GJ-17-Y-3442 in rash and negligent manner, in excessive speed and dashed with the Jeep, as a result, the minor sustained serious injuries and thus, had filed the claim petition through guardian and next friend, her father. During the pendency of the claim petition, on attaining majority, she moved an application exh. 25 to replace her as a claimant. 3. Learned advocate Mr. Bhalodi for the appellant – claimant submitted that the disability of 10% for the body as a whole was believed by the learned Tribunal and as per the Disability Certificate, exh. 53, she suffered 22% disability of right upper limb and both the lawyers had consented to consider the disability of 10% for the body as a whole, but the learned Tribunal considered the notional income of Rs.15,000/- to assess the future loss of income. Mr. Bhalodi for the appellant – claimant submitted that the case falls as per the yardstick laid down in the case of decision of the Hon’ble Apex Court in Master Mallikarjun v. Divisional Manager, The National Insurance Company Limited & Anr., AIR 2014 SC 736 and the learned Tribunal was required to follow the same to grant just compensation. 4. Learned advocate Mr. Maulik Shelat for the insurance company stated that the disability is only of 10% for the body as a whole and medical expenses of Rs.5,000/- has been granted and the amount under the heads of Pain, Shock and Suffering of Rs.10,000/-, Transportation, Attendant Charges and Special Diet of Rs.7,000/- have been aptly granted and future loss of income of Rs.22,500/- is also reasonably provided. Thus, he states that the impugned judgment and award does not warrant any interference of this Court. 5.
Thus, he states that the impugned judgment and award does not warrant any interference of this Court. 5. In the case of Master Mallikarjun (supra), the Hon'ble Apex Court, while considering the claim of a victim child, has categorically held that it would be unfair and improper to follow the structured formula as per the Second Schedule to the MV Act for more than one reasons. The relevant observations are as under:- “8. While considering the claim by a victim child, it would be unfair and improper to follow the structured formula as per the Second Schedule to the Motor Vehicles Act for reasons more than one. The main stress in the formula is on pecuniary damages. For children there is no income. The only indication in the Second Schedule for non- earning persons is to take the notional income as Rs.15,000/- per year. A child cannot be equated to such a non-earning person. Therefore, the compensation is to be worked out under the non- pecuniary heads in addition to the actual amounts incurred for treatment done and/or to be done, transportation, assistance of attendant, etc. The main elements of damage in the case of child victims are the pain, shock, frustration, deprivation of ordinary pleasures and enjoyment associated with healthy and mobile limbs. The compensation awarded should enable the child to acquire something or to develop a lifestyle which will offset to some extent the inconvenience or discomfort arising out of the disability. Appropriate compensation for disability should take care of all the non-pecuniary damages. In other words, apart from this head, there shall only be the claim for the actual expenditure for treatment, attendant, transportation, etc.” 5.1 It has been brought to the notice that the yardstick, which has been laid in the case of Master Mallikarjun (supra), has not been followed by the Tribunal. In Paragraph 12 of the said judgment, the Hon'ble Apex Court has laid down the slab to be followed in the case of minor sustaining permanent disability, which is extracted hereunder: “12.
In Paragraph 12 of the said judgment, the Hon'ble Apex Court has laid down the slab to be followed in the case of minor sustaining permanent disability, which is extracted hereunder: “12. Though it is difficult to have an accurate assessment of the compensation in the case of children suffering disability on account of a motor vehicle accident, having regard to the relevant factors, precedents and the approach of various High Courts, we are of the view that the appropriate compensation on all other heads in addition to the actual expenditure for treatment, attendant, etc., should be, if the disability is above 10% and upto 30% to the whole body, Rs.3 lakhs; upto 60%, Rs.4 lakhs; upto 90%, Rs.5 lakhs and above 90%, it should be Rs.6 lakhs. For permanent disability upto 10%, it should be Re.1 lakh, unless there are exceptional circumstances to take different yardstick.” 5.2 Here, in the instant case, both the lawyers on record before the learned Tribunal have consented to consider 10% physical disability of the minor claimant. Following the yardstick laid down in Master Mallikarjun (supra), the appellant – claimant would be entitled to Rs.1 lakh towards compensation. Further, medical expenses of Rs.5,000/- was granted by the learned Tribunal but the same, actually, was not proved, however, was granted. Accordingly, the appellant – claimant would be entitled to Rs.1 lakh towards total compensation. The Tribunal has granted Rs.44,500/- towards compensation. Thus, the difference amount would be Rs.55,500/- (Rs.1,00,000 – 44,500). 6. In view of the above, the appeal succeeds and is accordingly allowed in part. The impugned judgment and award dated 03.08.2019 passed by the learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (Main), Mahisagar at Lunawada in Motor Accident Claim Petition No. 1220 of 2017 (Old No. 656 of 2007) is modified to the aforesaid extent. The difference amount shall be deposited within a period of 06 (six) weeks. The appellant – claimant shall be entitled to interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum on such enhanced amount of compensation, from the date of petition till realization. 6.1 The respondent Nos. 1 and 2 are respectively the driver - owner and the insurance company of the Jeep bearing registration No. GJ-17-C-3439 and the respondent Nos. 3, 4 and 5 are respectively the driver, owner and the insurance company of Tractor bearing registration No. GJ-17-D-5193 with Trailer bearing registration No. GJ-17-Y-3442.
6.1 The respondent Nos. 1 and 2 are respectively the driver - owner and the insurance company of the Jeep bearing registration No. GJ-17-C-3439 and the respondent Nos. 3, 4 and 5 are respectively the driver, owner and the insurance company of Tractor bearing registration No. GJ-17-D-5193 with Trailer bearing registration No. GJ-17-Y-3442. The learned Tribunal has laid down 20% negligence of the Jeep driver while 80% of the Tractor with Trailer driver and thus, the enhanced amount too, as aforesaid, shall be deposited in respective proportion, as laid down by the Tribunal. 6.2 R&P, if received, be sent back forthwith.