George Thomas @ Sharbin v. Mathew S/o Poulose; The Managing Director, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC); The New India Assurance Company Ltd.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN** **MONDAY, THE 06TH DAY OF JANUARY 2020 / 16TH POUSHA, 1941** ## **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OP(MV)NO.45/2013 OF ADDITIONAL MOTOR ACCIDENTS CLAIMS TRIBUNAL - I, THODUPUZHA** ## **APPELLANT/PETITIONER :** **GEORGE THOMAS @ SHARBIN** **S/O.THOMAS,AYALLOOR HOUSE,RAJAKANDAM KARA,ANAKKARA VILLAGE.** ## **BY ADV. SRI.DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:** - **1 MATHEW S/O.POULOSE,MALIAKKAL HOUSE,KARIMANNOOR POST,THODUPUZHA-685585.** - **2 THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, K.S.R.T.C,TRANSPORT BHAVAN,TRIVANDRUM-695001.** - **3 THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE COMPANY LTD DIVISIONAL OFFICE,TRIVANDRUM-695001.** **R3 BY ADV. SRI.P.MURALEEDHARAN** **R2 BY SRI.P.C.CHACKO, SC, KERALA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPN.** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06.01.2020, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **2** ## **JUDGMENT** The appellant is the claimant in O.P(MV)No.45 of 2013 on the file of the Additional Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal - I, Thodupuzha, a claim petition filed under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, claiming compensation on account of the injuries sustained by him in a motor accident, which occurred on 21.03.2010, while he was riding a motorcycle bearing registration No.KL-37/5686. At the place of accident, the motorcycle was hit by a KSRTC bus bearing registration No.KL-15/7887 driven by the 1[st] respondent, owned by the 2[nd] respondent and insured with the 3[rd] respondent. In the accident, he sustained injuries. Alleging that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of bus by the 2[nd] respondent, claim petition was filed before the Tribunal claiming a total compensation of Rs.1,33,000/- under various heads, which was limited to Rs.1,00,000/- for the purpose of payment of Court Fee. 2. Before the Tribunal, respondents 1 and 2 filed written statement admitting the accident; however denying the negligence alleged against the 1[st] respondent driver. They **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **3** disputed the age, occupation and monthly income of the appellant/claimant stated in the claim petition. The nature of injuries and the period of treatment were also disputed. They contended that the compensation claimed under various heads are highly exorbitant. 3. The 3[rd] respondent insurer filed written statement admitting insurance coverage of the bus involved in the accident. The insurer disputed the age, occupation, monthly income, etc. stated in the claim petition. They contended that the compensation claimed is highly excessive. 4. Before the Tribunal, Exts.A1 to A12 were marked on the side of the appellant/claimant. On the side of the respondents, the insurance policy of the offending vehicle was marked as Ext.B1 and the certified copy of driving licence particulars of the 1[st] respondent driver was marked as Ext.B2. 5. After considering the pleadings and materials on record, the Tribunal arrived at a conclusion that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the bus by its driver. Since insurance coverage of the said vehicle was not in dispute, the insurer was held liable to indemnify the **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **4** insured. Under various heads, the Tribunal awarded a total compensation of Rs.5,50,110/-, together with interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of petition, i.e., 21.01.2013 till realisation, with proportionate cost and the insurer was directed to satisfy the award. 6. Dissatisfied with the quantum of compensation awarded by the Tribunal, the appellant/claimant is before this Court in this appeal. 7. Heard the learned counsel for the appellant/claimant and also the respective Standing Counsel for respondents 2 and 3. 8. The issue that arises for consideration in this appeal is as to whether the appellant is entitled for enhancement of the compensation awarded by the Tribunal under various heads. 9. In **State of Haryana v. Jasbir Kaur [(2003) 7 SCC 484]** the Apex Court held that the Tribunal under Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is required to make an award determining the amount of compensation which is to be in the real sense 'damages' which in turn appears to it to be 'just and reasonable'. It has to be borne **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **5** in mind that compensation for loss of limbs or life can hardly be weighed in golden scales. But at the same time it has be to be borne in mind that the compensation is not expected to be a windfall for the victim. Statutory provisions clearly indicate that the compensation must be 'just' and it cannot be a bonanza; not a source of profit; but the same should not be a pittance. ## 10. In **National Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pranay** **Sethi [(2017) 16 SCC 680]** a Constitution Bench of the Apex Court held that, Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with the concept of 'just compensation' and the same has to be determined on the foundation of fairness, reasonableness and equitability on acceptable legal standard because such determination can never be in arithmetical exactitude. It can never be perfect. The aim is to achieve an acceptable degree of proximity to arithmetical precision on the basis of materials brought on record in an individual case. The conception of 'just compensation' has to be viewed through the prism of fairness, reasonableness and nonviolation of the principle of equitability. 11. In the instant case, the compensation awarded by **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **6** the Tribunal under various heads reads thus; |Sl.<br>No.|Head of claim|Amount<br>claimed (in<br>Rupees)|Amount<br>awarded (in<br>Rupees)|Basis/vital<br>details in a<br>nutshell| |---|---|---|---|---| |1|Loss of earnings|25,000/-|20,000/-|5000x4<br>months| |2|By<br>stander's<br>expenses|10,000/-|4,600/-|200x23 days| |3|Transportation<br>expenes|10,000/-|5,000/-|| |4|Extra nourishment|1,000/-|12,000/-|| |5|Damages<br>to<br>clothing and articles|2,000/-|500/-|| |6|Medical expenses|25,000/-|1,69,210/-|Medical<br>bills<br>produced| |7|Pain and sufferings|25,000/-|30,000/-|Considering<br>injuries| |8|For<br>permanent<br>disability|25,000/-|2,68,800/-|5000x12x16x2<br>x8/100| |9|For amenities in life<br>and loss of earning<br>power|10,000/-|25,000/-|| |10|Compensation for<br>disfiguration|---------|15,000/-|| ||Total|Claim limited<br>to<br>Rs.1,00,000/-|**Rs.5,50,110/- **|**Rs.5,50,110/-**<br>along<br>with<br>interest at the<br>rate of 9% per<br>annum from<br>21.1.2013 till<br>realisation| 12. The accident occurred on 21.03.2010. At the time of accident, the appellant was aged 34 years. The appellant claimed a monthly income of Rs.8,000/- as distributor of a company. Though Ext.A10 salary certificate was produced, the same was not proved by examining the person **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **7** concerned. The appellant has also not chosen to mount the box. In the absence of any reliable materials, the Tribunal fixed the monthly income notionally as Rs.5,000/-, for the purpose of assessing compensation under various heads. 13. In **Ramachandrappa v. Manager, Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company Limited [(2011) 13 SCC 236]** the Apex Court reckoned the monthly income of a coolie (manual labourer), who met with a road accident in the year 2004, at the age of 35 years, notionally as Rs.4,500/-. The Apex Court held that, the claimant who was working as a coolie cannot be expected to produce any documentary evidence to substantiate his claim. In the absence of any other evidence contrary to the claim made by the claimant, in the facts of the said case, the Tribunal should have accepted the claim of the claimant. The Apex Court made it clear that, in all cases and in all circumstances, the Tribunal need not accept the claim of the claimant, in the absence of supporting material. It depends on the facts of each case. In a given case, if the claim made is so exorbitant or if the claim made is contrary to ground realities, the Tribunal may not accept the claim and may **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **8** proceed to determine the possible income by resorting to some guess work, which may include the ground realities prevailing at the relevant point of time. 14. In **Syed Sadiq v. Divisional Manager, United India Insurance Co. Ltd. [(2014) 2 SCC 735]** , taking note of the earlier decision in **Ramachandrappa's case (supra)** , the Apex Court reckoned the monthly income of a vegetable vendor, who met with a road accident in the year 2008, at the age of 24 years, notionally as Rs.6,500/-. In the said decision, the Apex Court held that, a labourer in an unorganised sector doing his own business cannot be expected to produce documents to prove his monthly income. Therefore, there was no reason for the Tribunal and the High Court to ask for evidence to prove his monthly income. Going by the state of economy prevailing at that time and the rising prices in agricultural products, the Apex Court accepted his case that a vegetable vendor is reasonably capable of earning 6,500/- per month. 15. In the absence of any reliable evidence, considering the economic conditions prevailing at the time of accident, i.e., during the year 2010, and taking note of the **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **9** fixation of notional monthly income by the Apex Court in the decisions referred to supra, this Court deem it appropriate to re-fix the monthly income of the appellant notionally as Rs.7,500/-, for the purpose of assessing compensation under various heads. 16. The document marked as Ext.A3 series are wound certificates issued from St.John's Hospital, Kattappana and Medical Trust Hospital, Ernakulam. As per the medical records, the appellant sustained 10 x 4 cm wound medial aspect M/3[rd] thigh, 5 x 4 cm wound medial aspect of knee and 10 x 5 cm wound anterior-lateral aspect of knee. He was treated with knee spanning with external fixator and wound debridement on 22.03.2010. Right leg fasciotomy and revascularisation, SFA with vein graft were done, on 22.03.2010, by plastic surgery. Right leg fasciotomy and closure SSG, SSG over right knee done on 25.03.2010 by plastic surgery. He had undergone inpatient treatment for a period of 23 days. Ext.A9 series is the medical bills for a sum of Rs.1,69,210/-. 17. In Ext.A8 disability certificate issued from Taluk Head Quarters Hospital, Thodupuzha, the Medical Board **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **10** assessed the permanent disability of the appellant, on account of the injuries sustained in the accident, as 32%. The disabilities noted in Ext.A8 are difficulties in walking, serious deformity and length difference in both legs. Ext.A12 photos showed shortening of right leg. The Tribunal took the percentage of whole body disability as 28%. Considering the nature of injuries sustained and the disabilities noted in Ext.A8, which includes serious deformity on the leg, this Court finds that the percentage of permanent whole body disability can be taken as 30%, for the purpose of assessing compensation under various heads. 18. Towards loss of earning, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.20,000/-, at the rate of Rs.5,000/- for a period of 4 months. Considering the nature of injuries sustained and the treatment the appellant had undergone, as borne out from medical records, the period of 4 months fixed by the Tribunal for granting loss of earning is just and reasonable. Since the monthly income of the appellant is re-fixed notionally as Rs.7,500/-, the compensation under the head loss of earning is re-fixed as Rs.30,000/- (7,500 x 4), resulting an additional compensation of **Rs.10,000/-** . **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **11** (30,000 – 20,000). 19. On account of the injuries sustained in the accident, the appellant had undergone inpatient treatment for 23 days. The accident is of the year 2010. Towards transportation to hospital, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.5,000/-. Considering the nature of injuries sustained and the treatment the appellant had undergone, as borne out from medical records, the compensation awarded by the Tribunal under this head represents just and reasonable compensation, which requires no enhancement in this appeal. 20. Towards bystander expenses the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.4,600/-. Towards extra nourishment, the Tribunal awarded a further sum of Rs.12,000/-. The accident is of the year 2010 and the appellant had undergone inpatient treatment for 23 days. Considering the nature of injuries sustained and the treatment the appellant had undergone, as borne out from medical records, the compensation awarded by the Tribunal under these heads cannot be said to be on the lower side, which requires no enhancement in this appeal. **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **12** 21. Towards damage to clothing and articles, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.500/-. Considering the fact that the accident is of the year 2010, the compensation under this head is re-fixed as Rs.1,000/-, resulting an additional compensation of **Rs.500/-** (1000 - 500). 22. Towards medical expenses, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.1,69,210/-, covered by Ext.A9 series of medical bills. In the absence of any further materials, the compensation awarded by the Tribunal under this head represents just and reasonable compensation, which requires no enhancement in this appeal. 23. As compensation towards pain and suffering, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.30,000/-. Considering the nature of injuries sustained and the treatment the appellant had undergone, as borne out from medical records, the compensation awarded by the Tribunal under this head cannot be said to be on the lower side. Therefore, the appellant is not entitled for any enhancement under this head. 24. In **Sarla Verma v. Delhi Transport Corporation [(2009) 6 SCC 121]** , the Apex Court, after referring to its **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **13** earlier decisions in **Kerala State Road Transport Corporation v. Susamma Thomas [(1994) 2 SCC 176]** , **U.P. State Road Transport Corporation v. Trilok Chandra [(1996) 4 SCC 362]** and **New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Charlie [(2005) 10 SCC 720]** held that the multiplier to be used should be as mentioned in column (4) of the Table in paragraph 40 of the said decision [prepared by applying **Susamma Thomas** , **Trilok Chandra** and **Charlie** ], which starts with an operative multiplier of **18** [for the age groups of 15 to 20 and 21 to 25 years], reduced by one unit for every five years, i.e., multiplier of **17** for 26 to 30 years, multiplier of **16** for 31 to 35 years, multiplier of **15** for 36 to 40 years, multiplier of **14** for 41 to 45 years, and multiplier of **13** for 46 to 50 years, then reduced by two units for every five years, i.e., multiplier of **11** for 51 to 55 years, multiplier of **9** for 56 to 60 years, multiplier of **7** for 61 to 65 years and multiplier of **5** for 66 to 70 years. 25. In **National Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi [(2017) 16 SCC 680]** a Constitution Bench of the Apex Court held that, as far as the multiplier is concerned, the Claims Tribunal and the Courts shall be **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **14** guided by Step 2 that finds place in paragraph 19 of **Sarla Verma** , read with paragraph 42 of the said judgment. 26. In the instant case, as on the date of accident, the appellant was aged 34 years. In the light of the decisions of the Apex Court in **Sarla Verma's case** and **Pranay Sethi's case** referred to supra, the multiplier of **16** applied by the Tribunal is correct and proper. 27. Towards compensation for permanent disability, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.2,68,800/- (5,000 x 12 x 16 x 28/100). Since the monthly income of the appellant is re-fixed notionally as Rs.7,500/-, applying the multiplier of 16 applicable to the age group of the appellant and the percentage of permanent whole body disability as 30%, the compensation under the head permanent disability is re-fixed as Rs.4,32,000/- (7,500 x 12 x 16 x 30/100), resulting an additional compensation of **Rs.1,63,200/-** (4,32,000 – 2,68,800). 28. Towards loss of amenities the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.25,000/-. Considering the nature of injuries sustained and 30% permanent whole body disability on account of those injuries, the compensation awarded by the **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **15** Tribunal under this head is re-fixed as Rs.30,000/-, resulting an additional compensation of **Rs.5,000/-** (30,000 – 25,000). 29. In the result, the appellant/claimant will be entitled for payment of an additional compensation of **Rs.1,78,500/-** (Rupees One lakh seventy eight thousand and five hundred only) [10,000 + 500 + 1,63,000 + 5,000] in this appeal, which will carry interest at the rate of **8%** per annum from the date of petition till realisation. The 3[rd] respondent insurer shall satisfy the additional compensation granted in this appeal, together with interest, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment, after deducting the liability, if any, of the appellant/claimant towards Balance Court Fee and Legal Benefit Fund. The disbursement of additional compensation to the appellant/claimant shall be made taking note of the law on the point and in terms of the directives issued by this Court in Circular No.3 of 2019 dated 06.09.2019 and clarified further in Official Memorandum No.D1-62475/2016 dated 07.11.2019. The appellant to provide his Bank account details (attested copy of the relevant page of the Bank **MACA.No.421 OF 2018** **16** Passbook having details of the Bank Account Number and IFSC Code of the branch) before the Tribunal, with copy to the learned Standing Counsel for the insurer, within one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment. This appeal is disposed of as above. No order as to costs. **Sd/-** ## **ANIL K.NARENDRAN, JUDGE** AV/6/1