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United India Insurance Company Ltd vs Adarsh B
2025 Latest Caselaw 2595 Ker

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 2595 Ker
Judgement Date : 20 January, 2025

Kerala High Court

United India Insurance Company Ltd vs Adarsh B on 20 January, 2025

MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases             1             2025:KER:5532

            IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                             PRESENT

             THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE EASWARAN S.

  MONDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025 / 30TH POUSHA, 1946

                       MACA NO. 820 OF 2021

        AGAINST THE AWARD DATED 23.10.2020 IN O.P.(M.V.) NO.1192

OF 2014 OF MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, ALAPPUZHA

APPELLANT/3RD RESPONDENT :

            UNITED INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LTD
            REPRESENTED BY ITS DIVISIONAL MANAGER, DIVISIONAL
            OFFICE, MULLACKAL P.O.,ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688 011.
            REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER, MR. ARUN P.N, UNITED
            INDIA INSURANCE CO LTD, REGIONAL OFFICE, SHARANYA,
            HOSPITAL ROAD, KOCHI-682 011.


            BY ADV S.K.AJAY KUMAR


RESPONDENTS/PETITIONER & RESPONDENT No.1,2,4 & 5 :

    1       ADARSH B.
            AGED 27 YEARS
            S/O BABU D.M, DEVASWAM VELI HOUSE,
            POLLETHAI P.O.MARARIKULAM SOUTH,
            PANCHAYATH WARD-3,ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688 522.

    2       RAVEENDRANATHAN NAIR,
            AGE NOT KNOWN, S/O KRISHNA PILLAI, GENERAL OIL
            SERVICES, BPC DEALER, CHINNAKKADA, KOLLAM-691 001.

    3       SATHEESAN,
            AGED 58 YEARS
            S/O RAGHAVAN, 415 F (36/1840), THIRUVATHIRA VEEDU,
            THEKKEVILA P.O.XVII, KOLLAM CORPORATION DIVISION,
            KOLLAM-691 016.
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases              2             2025:KER:5532


    4     SHAJI T.T,
          THAMARAPPILLY HOUSE, POLLATHAI P.O.
          MARARIKULAM SOUTH, PANCHAYATH WARD-4,
          ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688 522.

    5     ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD
          REPRESENTED BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER, BRANCH OFFICE,
          NEAR SEEMATTI THEATRE, NORTH OF YMCA BRIDGE,
          MULLACKAL P.O.,ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688 011.


          BY ADVS.
          SRI.A.T.ANILKUMAR
          SRI.A.JANI(KOLLAM)
          LATHA SUSAN CHERIAN
          SMT.V.SHYLAJA



     THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR
HEARING   ON   20.01.2025,   ALONG   WITH   MACA   NO.823/2021   AND
CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases             3             2025:KER:5532


            IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                             PRESENT

             THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE EASWARAN S.

  MONDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025 / 30TH POUSHA, 1946

                       MACA NO. 823 OF 2021

        AGAINST THE AWARD DATED 23.10.2020 IN O.P.(M.V) NO.1193

OF 2014 OF MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, ALAPPUZHA

APPELLANT/3RD RESPONDENT :

            UNITED INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LTD,
            REPRESENTED BY ITS DIVISIONAL MANAGER, DIVISIONAL
            OFFICE, MULLACKAL P.O, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT -
            688011, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER, MR. ARUN P.N,
            UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO.LTD, REGIONAL OFFICE,
            SHARANYA, HOSPITAL ROAD, KOCHI - 682011.

            BY ADV S.K.AJAY KUMAR


RESPONDENTS/PETITIOENR & RESPONDENT NO.1,2,4 & 5 :

    1       VINOD V.K,
            AGED 41 YEARS
            S/O. VISWAMBHARAN, NIKARTHIL HOUSE, POLLATHAI P.O,
            MARARIKULAM SOUTH, PANCHAYATH WARD -13, ALAPPUZHA
            DISTRICT - 688522.

    2       RAVEEDRANATHAN NAIR, AGE NOT KNOWN,
            S/O. KRISHNA PILLAI, GENERAL OIL SERVICES, BPC
            DEALER, CHINNAKKADA, KOLLAM - 691001

    3       SATHEESAN
            AGED 58 YEARS
            S/O. RAGHAVAN, 415F (36/1840),
            THIRUVATHIRA VEEDU, THEKKEVILA P.O, XXVII,
            KOLLAM CORPORATION DIVISION, KOLLAM - 691016.
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases              4             2025:KER:5532


    4     SHAJI T. T
          THAMARAPPILLY HOUSE, POLLATHAI P.O,
          MARARIKULAM SOUTH, PANCHAYATH WARD -4, ALAPPUZHA
          DISTRICT - 688522.

    5     ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD
          REPRESENTED BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER, BRANCH OFFICE,
          NEAR SEEMATTI THEATRE, NORTH OF YMCA BRIDGE,
          MULLACKAL P.O, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT - 688011.


          BY ADVS.
          SRI.A.T.ANILKUMAR
          SRI.A.JANI(KOLLAM)
          LATHA SUSAN CHERIAN
          SMT.V.SHYLAJA



     THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR
HEARING   ON   20.01.2025,   ALONG   WITH   MACA   NO.820/2021   AND
CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases             5              2025:KER:5532


            IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                             PRESENT

             THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE EASWARAN S.

  MONDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025 / 30TH POUSHA, 1946

                       MACA NO. 1923 OF 2021

        AGAINST THE AWARD DATED 23.10.2020 IN O.P.(M.V.) NO.1192

OF 2014 OF MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, ALAPPUZHA

APPELLANT/PETITIONER :

            ADARSH B.,
            AGED 27 YEARS
            S/O. BABU D.M., DEVASWOM VELI HOUSE,
            POLLETHAI P.O., MARARIKULAM SOURT PW-3,
            ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688523.

            BY ADVS.
            A.T.ANILKUMAR
            V.SHYLAJA


RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:

    1       RAVEENDRANATHAN NAIR,
            S/O. KRISHNAN PILLAI, GENERAL OIL SERVICES,
            BPC-DEALER, CHINNAKKADA, KOLLAM (OWNER),
            PIN-691001.

    2       SATHEESAN R.,
            S/O. RAGHAVAN E., 415F (36/1840),
            THIRUVATHIRA HOUSE, THEKKEVILA P.O.
            KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN-691016.

    3       UNITED INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.,
            REPRESENTED BY DIVISION MANAGER,
            DIVISIONAL OFFICE, MULLACKAL P.O.,
            ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688011.
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases              6             2025:KER:5532


    4     SHAJI T.T.,
          THAMARAPPALLY HOUSE, POLLETHAI P.O.,
          MARARIKULAM SOUTH, PANCHAYATH WARD, NO.4,
          ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688523.

    5     THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.,
          REPRESENTED BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER, BRANCH OFFICER,
          NEAR SEEMATTI THEATRE, NORTH OF YMCA BRIDGE,
          MULLACKAL P.O., ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688011.


          BY ADVS.
          S.K.AJAY KUMAR
          LATHA SUSAN CHERIAN



     THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR
HEARING   ON   20.01.2025,   ALONG   WITH   MACA   NO.820/2021   AND
CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases             7              2025:KER:5532


            IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                             PRESENT

             THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE EASWARAN S.

  MONDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025 / 30TH POUSHA, 1946

                       MACA NO. 1974 OF 2021

        AGAINST THE AWARD DATED 23.10.2020 IN O.P.(M.V.) NO.1193

OF 2014 OF MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, ALAPPUZHA

APPELLANT/PETITIONER :

            VINOD.V.K.,
            AGED 41 YEARS
            S/O.VISWAMBHARAN, NIKARTHIL HOUSE,
            POLLETHAI P.O., MARARIKULAM SOURT PW-3,
            ALAPUZHA DISTRICT-688 523.

            BY ADVS.
            A.T.ANILKUMAR
            V.SHYLAJA


RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS :

    1       RAVEENDRANATHAN NAIR,
            S/O.KRISHNAN PILLAI, GENERAL OIL SERVICES,
            BPC DEALER, CHINNAKKADA, KOLLAM (OWNER),
            PIN-691 001.
    2       SATHEESAN.R.,
            S/O.RAGHAVAN.E., 415F (36/1840),
            THIRUVATHIRA HOUSE, THEKKEVILA, P.O.
            KOLLAM DISTRICT, PIN-691 016.

    3       UNITED INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.,
            REPRESENTED BY DIVISIONAL MANAGER, DIVISIONAL
            OFFICER, MULLACKAL P.O.,
            ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688 011.
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases              8             2025:KER:5532



    4     SHAJI.T.T.,
          AGE AND S/O. NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER
          THAMARAPPALLY HOUSE, POLLETHAI P.O.,
          MARARIKULAM SOUTH, PANCHAYATH WARD, NO.4,
          ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, PIN-688 523.

    5     THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.,
          REPRESENTED BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER, BRANCH OFFICER,
          NEAR SEEMATTI THEATRE, NORTH OF YMCA BRIDGE,
          MULLACKAL P.O., ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT-688 011.


          BY ADVS.
          S.K.AJAY KUMAR
          LATHA SUSAN CHERIAN



     THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR
HEARING   ON   20.01.2025,   ALONG   WITH   MACA   NO.820/2021   AND
CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases             9              2025:KER:5532


            IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

                             PRESENT
             THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE EASWARAN S.

  MONDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025 / 30TH POUSHA, 1946
                       MACA NO. 2361 OF 2020
        AGAINST THE AWARD DATED 08.05.2020 IN O.P.(M.V.) NO.1314
OF 2014 OF MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, ALAPPUZHA

APPELLANT/3RD RESPONDENT :

            UNITED INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
            BRANCH OFFICE, ALAPPUZHA,
            REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER, MR. ARUN P.N,
            UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO.LTD, REGIONAL OFFICE,
            SHARANYA, HOSPITAL ROAD, KOCHI-682 011


            BY ADV S.K.AJAY KUMAR
RESPONDENTS/PETITIONERS & RESPONDENT NO.1 & 2 :

    1       PATHMAKUMARI
            AGED 56 YEARS
            W/O. SHAJI, THAMARAPPALLIL VEEDU,
            POLLATHAI P.O, KALAVOOR, ALAPPUZHA-688 522

    2       SHAJI,
            60 YEARS, THAMARAPPALLIL VEEDU, POLLATHAI P.O,
            KALAVOOR, ALAPPUZHA-688 522.

    3       ARUN,
            AGED 29, S/O. SHAJI, THAMARAPPALLIL VEEDU,
            POLLATHAI P.O, KALAVOOR, ALAPPUZHA-688 522

    4       SATHEESAN,
            AGED 58 YEARS, S/O.RAGHAVAN, 415 F(36/1840),
            THIRUVATHIRA VEEDU, THEKKEVILA P.O, XXVII,
            KOLLAM CORPORATION DIVISION, KOLLAM-691 016.
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases              10                 2025:KER:5532




          RAVEENDRANATHAN NAIR,
    5     S/O. KRISHNA PILLAI, GENERAL OIL SERVICES,
          BPC DEALER, CHINNAKKADA, KOLLAM-691 001


          BY ADV SRI.A.JANI(KOLLAM)


     THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR
HEARING   ON   20.01.2025,   ALONG    WITH   MACA     NO.820/2021   AND
CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases              11            2025:KER:5532

                            JUDGMENT

[MACA Nos.820/2021, 823/2021, 1923/2021, 1974/2021,

2361/2020]

These appeals arise out of the award of the Motor Accidents

Claims Tribunal, Alappuzha in O.P.(M.V.) Nos.1192 and 1193 of

2014 and O.P.(M.V.) No.1314 of 2014. The appellants in M.A.C.A

Nos.1923 and 1974 of 2021 are the claimants/petitioners in

O.P.(M.V.) Nos.1192 of 2014 and 1193 of 2014 respectively. The

claimants have approached this Court aggrieved by the quantum

of compensation awarded by the tribunal, whereas, the insurance

company filed M.A.C.A Nos.2361 of 2020, 820 of 2021, 823 of 2021

against the award passed by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal.

2. Since the facts leading to these appeals are common they

are being considered and disposed of together. M.A.C.A. No.2361

of 2020 is taken as the leading case.

3. On 21.6.2014 at 7.30 p.m., one Sri. Akhil was riding a motor

cycle bearing Registration No.KL-04/AE-3654 through the National

Highway within the jurisdiction of Mannancherry police station, a

tanker lorry bearing Registration No.KL-2/W-9917 hit the victim

leaving him to fall down and sustain injuries. Though the victim MACA NO. 820 OF 2021 and connected cases 12 2025:KER:5532

was immediately taken to the hospital, he succumbed to the

injuries sustained in the accident. The other two claimants are the

pillion riders in the vehicle.

4. The claimants in O.P.(M.V.) No.1314 of 2014 are the legal

heirs of the deceased Akhil. They contended before the tribunal

that the deceased Akhil was working as a Marketing Executive in

the Mathrubhumi daily and was earning a monthly income of

Rs.30,000/-. In support of their claim Exts.A1 to A15 documents

were produced. PW1 and PW2 were examined on the side of the

claimants. No oral or documentary evidence was adduced from the

side of the insurance company. The tribunal, on appreciation of the

evidence, found that the claimants have succeeded in proving the

avocation and income of the deceased Akhil and therefore awarded

a total compensation of Rs.41,02,751/- (Rupees Forty One Lakhs

Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty One only).

5. The finding of the tribunal in O.P.(M.V.) No.1314 of 2014 is

questioned by the insurance company only on the ground that the

deceased Akhil was under the influence of intoxicated liquor and

therefore had contributed towards the act. The tribunal, however,

refused to accept the aforesaid contention and proceeded to pass

the impugned award.

 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases             13            2025:KER:5532

6. The appellant/petitioner in M.A.C.A. No.1923 of 2021

contended that he was a B.Com student at the time of accident,

whereas, the appellant/petitioner in M.A.C.A. No. No.1974 of 2021

contended that he was a Coolie worker. In support of their claim,

the claimants produced Exts.A1 to A31 documents and examined

PW1. Ext.X1 is the case record issued from the Lakeshore Hospital,

Ernakulam. The insurance company did not adduce any oral or

documentary evidence. The tribunal, on appreciation of the

evidence, accepted the contention regarding the income of the

appellant/petitioner in O.P.(M.V.) No.1192 of 2014 as Rs.15,000/-

per month and that of the appellant/petitioner in O.P.(M.V.)

No.1193 of 2014 as Rs.11,000/- per month. Though the tribunal

awarded compensation towards permanent disability to both

claimants, the tribunal did not add any future prospects on the

income. Hence the respective claimants have preferred the

appeals.

7. Heard Sri. S.K. Ajaykumar, the learned counsel appearing

for the appellant/insurance company in M.A.C.A. No.2361 of 2020

and M.A.C.A. Nos.820 and 823 of 2021, Smt. V. Shylaja, the learned

counsel for the appellant in M.A.C.A. Nos.1923 & 1974 of 2021 and

Smt. Latha Susan Cherian, the learned counsel appearing for the MACA NO. 820 OF 2021 and connected cases 14 2025:KER:5532

5th respondent insurance company in M.A.C.A Nos.820, 823, 1974

and 1923 of 2021.

8. Sri. S.K. Ajayakumar, the learned counsel appearing for

the appellant/insurance company, with reference to the

postmortem certificate issued by the Director of Medical Education

dated 22.6.2014, contended that the blood samples of the deceased

Akhil were sent for further chemical analysis and the police

authorities did not produce any report which would have ultimately

prove that the deceased Akhil, the rider of the motorcycle, was

under the influence of liquor. He further relied on Ext.A3 produced

in O.P.(M.V.) Nos.1192 and 1193 of 2014 which prima facie proved

that all three, including the rider and pillion riders, were under the

influence of intoxicating liquor. He further pointed out that since

the rider of the motorcycle did not maintain a safe distance, the

tribunal ought to have attributed contributed negligence on the

rider of the vehicle and could not have fasten the entire liability on

the appellant/insurance company. In support of his contention, the

learned counsel relied on the decision of the Apex Court in Nishan

Singh and Others vs Oriental insurance company limited [Civil

Appeal No.10145 of 2016] [AIR 2018 SC 2118].

9. On the other hand, Smt. Shylaja, the learned counsel MACA NO. 820 OF 2021 and connected cases 15 2025:KER:5532

appearing for the appellants/petitioners in O.P.(M.V.) Nos.1192 and

1193 of 2014 [MACA Nos.1923 and 1974 of 2021] contended that

the compensation awarded by the tribunal is not sufficient. Though

the claimant in O.P.(M.V.) No.1192 of 2012 suffered disability at

40%, the tribunal did not award any amount towards future

prospects. Similarly, under the non-conventional heads also, the

claimants are entitled for reasonable compensation.

10. I have considered the rival submissions raised across the

Bar.

11. It is noticed that though this Court in M.A.C.A. No.2361

of 2020 had issued notice to the claimants none appears despite

service and the appeal is taken up for final hearing.

12. The primary question to be considered in these appeals

is whether the rider of the motorcycle was under the influence of

intoxicating liquor and thereby contributed towards the accident.

The only evidence on record is Ext.A4 postmortem certificate,

produced in O.P.(M.V.) No.1314 of 2014, which shows that the blood

samples were taken and sent for chemical analysis. The fate of

chemical analysis remains a mystery. The insurance company could

have summoned the report from the police authority. On a contrary,

it is seen that no oral or documentary evidence was adduced by the MACA NO. 820 OF 2021 and connected cases 16 2025:KER:5532

insurance company before the tribunal. Yet another piece of

evidence on which the insurance company relies is Ext.A3 wound

certificate produced in O.P.(M.V.) Nos.1192 & 1193 of 2014. No

doubt, Ext.A3 shows that the smell of alcohol was found in respect

of pillion riders. Even if the wound certificate is taken as such, it

passes one's comprehension as to how contributory negligence

could be attributed towards the rider of the motorcycle.

13. Coming to the decision relied on by the learned counsel

appearing for the Insurance Company in Nishan Singh (Supra) it

is pertinent to mention that the Apex Court decided the said issue

based on the concurrent findings recorded by the tribunal as well

as the High Court. No doubt, the Apex Court in terms of Rule 23 of

the Rules of Road Regulation, 1989, held that sufficient distance

had to be maintained between the vehicles. But it is pertinent to

mention that what is the sufficient distance is not defined in any

regulation. On the facts of that case, the Apex Court held that 10-

15 metres distance is not sufficient. Still further, there was no

evidence brought on record in that case to prove that the driver of

the truck had applied a sudden break as the cause of the accident.

On the contrary, in this case, the final report in Crime No.51 of

2014 attributed negligence towards the driver of the tanker lorry.

 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases                   17           2025:KER:5532

14. A perusal of Ext.A4 produced in O.P.(M.V.) No.1314 of

2020 shows that the police, after investigation, concluded that the

accident was caused due to applying of the sudden break by the

driver of the tanker lorry. Moreover, the report is also

conspicuously silent on the available distance between the lorry

and the motorcycle. In the absence of evidence this case would

certainly turn out to be detrimental to the interest of the insurance

company. The learned counsel for the insurance company would

also point out that, during the final trial of the case relating to

Crime No.51 of 2014, the witnesses were turned hostile, and the

driver of the vehicle was discharged and acquitted of the offences.

True, the said discharge may have a bearing on the findings of the

tribunal, but it is pertinent to mention that the acquittal and

discharge of the driver was not after a full-fledged trial and was

only because the witness turned hostile. Be that as it may, as on the

date of the rendering of the award by the tribunal, the evidence on

record would not even remotely suggest that contributory

negligence could be attributed towards the driver of the vehicle.

15. Viewed in the above perspective, the plea of the insurance

company that the contributory negligence ought to have been

attributed towards the rider of the motorcycle cannot be sustained.

 MACA NO. 820 OF 2021
and connected cases             18             2025:KER:5532

This is more so because the insurance company failed to adduce

any oral or documentary evidence before the tribunal. Therefore,

this Court is left with no other alternative but to reject the

contention. Accordingly, M.A.C.A. Nos. 2361 of 2020, 820 of 2021

and 823 of 2021 fail and are dismissed accordingly.

16. Coming to the appeals preferred for enhancement of

compensation by the respective claimants, it is pertinent to

mention that the claimant in O.P.(M.V.) No.1192 of 2014 suffered

40% of disability. His income was fixed at Rs.15,000/- and the same

appears to be reasonable and no enhancement towards the income

fixed by the tribunal is required. However, having said so, the

claimant, who sustained 40% disability, was certainly entitled to

have future prospects on the income so fixed. It has come out in

evidence that the claimant was a B.Com student aged 20 years at

the time of accident. Hence he is entitled to get 40%

(15000x40%=6000) of the income towards future prospects and

thus the amount would come to Rs.21,000/-. Accordingly, the

appellant (Adarsh B) is entitled to get an amount of Rs.18,14,400/-

[21,000X12x18x40/100] towards permanent disability. The tribunal

has already awarded an amount of Rs.12,96,000/- on that head.

Hence the appellant is entitled to get an enhanced amount of MACA NO. 820 OF 2021 and connected cases 19 2025:KER:5532

Rs.5,18,400/- under the head permanent disability. It has further

come out in Ext.A20 that the claimant had spent the expenses for

physiotherapy treatment for 365 days at Rs.650/- per day. From the

perusal of the impugned award no discussion is seen to be done by

the tribunal as to why the said claim is not acceptable. Coupled

with the fact that no contra evidence had been adduced before the

tribunal against Ext.20, this Court is of the view that an amount of

Rs.2,37,250/- (365x650) can be granted towards the expenses for

physiotherapy. In addition to the above, an amount of Rs.7382/-

(the amount shown in Ext.22) is granted as additional

compensation towards transportation charges. Accordingly, the

appellant in M.A.C.A. No.1923 of 2021 is entitled to get enhanced

compensation as follows:

       Heads of claim                         Enhanced
                                              compensation
       Permanent disability                      5,18,400
       [18,14,400-12,96,000]
       Expenses      for     physiotherapy       2,37,250/-

       treatment (365x650)

       Transport to hospital                       7382
       25000+7382
       Total enhanced compensation                7,63,032


17. In M.A.C.A. No.1974 of 2021 the appellant/ petitioner was MACA NO. 820 OF 2021 and connected cases 20 2025:KER:5532

a Coolie worker at the time of accident. The disability sustained by

him on account of the accident is fixed at 7% which the tribunal is

accepted. The income fixed is Rs.11,000/- which also appears to be

reasonable. What remains to be considered is regarding the

entitlement or enhancement under the head pain and sufferings as

well as loss of amenities. Considering the nature of injuries

suffered by the claimant, he is entitled for a nominal increase of

Rs.10,000/- each for Pain and sufferings and also Loss of amenities.

18. Accordingly the appellant/petitioner in M.A.C.A. No.1923

of 2021 is entitled to get an amount of Rs.7,63,032/- (Rupees Seven

Lakh Sixty Three Thousand and Thirty Two only) and the

appellant/petitioner in M.A.C.A. No.1974 of 2021 is entitled to get

an amount of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) as

enhanced compensation with 9% interest per annum from the date

of petition till realization with proportionate cost. The insurance

company shall deposit the amount within a period of two months

from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.

Appeals ordered accordingly.

Sd/-

                                      EASWARAN S.
NS                                       JUDGE
 

 
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