A Delhi tribunal has awarded over Rs. 40 lakh compensation to a government school teacher whose life was upended after a road accident not only left her permanently disabled but also caused her to suffer a miscarriage.
The case stemmed from a 2018 incident, where the woman, already certified with 40% disability due to dwarfism, was hit by a rashly driven vehicle. The impact left her with 84% permanent disability in her lower limbs and claimed the life of her six-month-old foetus.
Presiding Officer Shelly Arora of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal held that the mishap was the result of the driver’s “speedy and reckless” driving. On the issue of compensation, the tribunal awarded Rs. 5 lakh specifically for the miscarriage, noting that at the age of 41, the woman’s chances of enjoying motherhood in the future would be “very rare.”
The tribunal further emphasised the devastating impact of the accident on the woman’s personal and professional life. While she could continue as a teacher, her disability would inevitably hinder essential functions such as standing, classroom movement, and participation in school activities, thereby limiting her future career prospects.
Noting that she now depends on a wheelchair and requires an attendant for most of the day, the tribunal observed that her quality of life has been drastically diminished, with even basic social and personal activities becoming difficult or impossible.
Accordingly, Iffco Tokio General Insurance Co. Ltd., the insurer of the offending vehicle, was directed to pay around Rs. 40.91 lakh towards pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages.
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