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the compensation would be payable on the headings, namely, transport charges, extra-nourishment, medical expenses, additional medical expenses, additional transport charges, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity and permanent disability and the amount on the aforesaid scores would be, in toto, Rs.13,48,000/-. The said amount shall carry interest at the rate of 7.5% from the date of application till the date of payment. The same shall be deposited before the tribunal within a period of two months and the tribunal shall disburse 50% of the amount in favour of the claimant and the rest of the amount shall be deposited in a nationalized bank for a period of three years. Be it clarified if the earlier awarded sum has been deposited, the differential sum shall be deposited within the stipulated time as mentioned hereinabove and the disbursement shall take place accordingly. “Pecuniary damages (Special damages) (i) Expenses relating to treatment, hospitalisation, medicines, transportation, nourishing food, and miscellaneous expenditure. (ii) Loss of earnings (and other gains) which the injured would have made had he not been injured, comprising: (a) Loss of earning during the period of treatment; (b) Loss of future earnings on account of permanent disability. (iii) Future medical expenses. Non-pecuniary damages (General damages) (iv) Damages for pain, suffering and trauma as a consequence of the injuries. (v) Loss of amenities (and/or loss of prospects of marriage). (vi) Loss of expectation of life (shortening of normal longevity).”


                        IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

                        CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

                    CIVIL APPEAL No.  7603          2012
                  (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 3487 of 2011)


K. Suresh                                                ….. Appellant

                             Versus

New India Assurance Co. Ltd. and another       .… Respondents







                             J U D G M E N T


Dipak  Misra, J


      Leave granted.


2.    Despite many  a  pronouncement  in  the  field,  it  still  remains  a
challenging  situation  warranting  sensitive  as  well   as   dispassionate
exercise how to determine the incalculable sum in calculable terms of  money
in cases of personal injuries.  In such assessment  neither  sentiments  nor
emotions have any role.  It has been stated  in  Davies  v.  Powell  Duffryn
Associate Collieries Ltd.[1] that it is a matter of  Pounds,  Shillings  and
Pence.  There cannot be actual compensation for anguish of the heart or  for
mental  tribulations.   The  quintessentiality   lies   in   the   pragmatic
computation of the loss sustained which has to be in the realm of  realistic
approximation.  Therefore, Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988  (for
brevity  ‘the  Act’)  stipulates  that  there  should  be  grant  of   “just
compensation”.  Thus,  it  becomes  a  challenge  for  a  court  of  law  to
determine “just compensation” which is neither a  bonanza  nor  a  windfall,
and simultaneously, should not be a pittance.

3.    In Jai Bhagwan v. Laxman Singh and others[2], a three-Judge  Bench  of
this Court, while considering the assessment of damages in  personal-injury-
actions, reproduced the following passage from the decision by the House  of
Lords in H.West & Son, Ltd. v. Shephard[3] : -

           “My Lords, the damages which are to be awarded for  a  tort  are
           those which ‘so far as  money  can  compensate,  will  give  the
           injured party reparation for the wrongful act and  for  all  the
           natural and direct consequences of the wrongful act’  [Admiralty
           Comrs. v. Susquehanna (Owners), The Susquehanna[4]].  The  words
           ‘so far as money can compensate’ point to the  impossibility  of
           equating money with human suffering or personal deprivations.  A
           money award can be calculated so as to  make  good  a  financial
           loss. Money may be awarded so that  something  tangible  may  be
           procured to replace something else of like nature which has been
           destroyed or lost. But money cannot renew a physical frame  that
           has been battered and shattered. All that judges and courts  can
           do is to award sums which must be regarded as giving  reasonable
           compensation. In the process there  must  be  the  endeavour  to
           secure some uniformity in the general  method  of  approach.  By
           common assent awards must be reasonable  and  must  be  assessed
           with moderation. Furthermore, it is eminently desirable that  so
           far as possible comparable injuries  should  be  compensated  by
           comparable awards. When all this is said it still must  be  that
           amounts  which  are  awarded  are  to  a   considerable   extent
           conventional.”



In the said case reference was made to a passage from Clerk and Lindsell  on
Torts (16th Edn.) which is apposite  to  reproduce  as  it  relates  to  the
awards for non-pecuniary losses: -

           “In all but a few  exceptional  cases  the  victim  of  personal
           injury suffers two distinct kinds of damage which may be classed
           respectively as pecuniary and non-pecuniary. By pecuniary damage
           is meant that which is susceptible of  direct  translation  into
           money terms and includes  such  matters  as  loss  of  earnings,
           actual and prospective, and out-of-pocket expenses,  while  non-
           pecuniary damage includes such immeasurable elements as pain and
           suffering and loss of amenity or enjoyment of life.  In  respect
           of the former, it is submitted, the  court  should  and  usually
           does seek  to  achieve  restitutio  in  integrum  in  the  sense
           described above, while for the latter it seeks  to  award  ‘fair
           compensation’.  This  distinction  between  pecuniary  and  non-
           pecuniary damage by no  means  corresponds  to  the  traditional
           pleading distinction between ‘special’  and  ‘general’  damages,
           for while  the  former  is  necessarily  concerned  solely  with
           pecuniary losses — notably accrued loss of earnings and  out-of-
           pocket expenses — the latter comprises  not  only  non-pecuniary
           losses but also prospective loss of earnings  and  other  future
           pecuniary damage.”



4.    In this regard, we may refer with profit the decision  of  this  Court
in Nagappa v. Gurudayal Singh and  others[5]  wherein  the  observations  of
Lord Denning M.R. in Lim Poh  Choo  v.  Camden  and  Islington  Area  Health
Authority[6] were quoted with approval.  They read thus: -

           “The practice is now established and cannot be gainsaid that, in
           personal injury cases, the award of damages  is  assessed  under
           four main heads: first, special damages in the  shape  of  money
           actually expended; second, cost of future nursing and attendance
           and medical expenses; third, pain  and  suffering  and  loss  of
           amenities; fourth, loss of future earnings.”

5.    While having respect for  the  conventional  determination  there  has
been evolution of a pattern and the same, from time to time, has  been  kept
in accord with the changes in the value of money.  Therefore,  in  the  case
of Ward v. James[7] it has been expressed thus: -

           “Although you cannot give a man so gravely injured much for  his
           ‘lost years’, you can, however,  compensate  him  for  his  loss
           during his shortened span, that is, during his  expected  ‘years
           of survival’. You can compensate him for his  loss  of  earnings
           during that time, and for the cost  of  treatment,  nursing  and
           attendance. But how can you compensate him for being rendered  a
           helpless invalid? He may, owing to  brain  injury,  be  rendered
           unconscious for the rest of  his  days,  or,  owing  to  a  back
           injury, be unable to rise from his bed. He has  lost  everything
           that makes life worthwhile. Money is no good to him. Yet  judges
           and juries have to do the best they can and give him  what  they
           think is fair. No wonder they find it well nigh insoluble.  They
           are being asked to calculate the  incalculable.  The  figure  is
           bound to be for the most part a  conventional  sum.  The  judges
           have worked out a pattern, and they keep it  in  line  with  the
           changes in the value of money.”

6.     While  assessing  the  damages  there  is  a   command   to   exclude
considerations which are in the realm of speculation or  fancy  though  some
guess work or some conjecture to a limited extent is  inevitable.   That  is
what has been stated in C.K. Subramania  Iyer  v.  T.  Kunhikuttan  Nair[8].
Thus, some guess work, some hypothetical considerations  and  some  sympathy
come into play but, a significant one, the ultimate determination is  to  be
viewed with some objective standards.  To elaborate,  neither  the  tribunal
nor a court can take a flight in fancy and award an exorbitant sum, for  the
concept of conventional sum, fall of money value and reasonableness  are  to
be kept in view.  Ergo, in conceptual eventuality “just compensation”  plays
a dominant role.

7.    The conception of “just compensation” is fundamentally concretized  on
certain well established principles and accepted legal  parameters  as  well
as principles of equity and good conscience.  In Yadav Kumar  v.  Divisional
Manager, National Insurance Company  Limited  and  another[9],  a  two-Judge
Bench, while dealing with the  facet  of  “just  compensation”,  has  stated
thus: -

          “It goes without saying  that  in  matters  of  determination  of
          compensation both the tribunal  and  the  court  are  statutorily
          charged with a responsibility of fixing  a  “just  compensation”.
          It is obviously true  that  determination  of  just  compensation
          cannot be equated to a bonanza.  At the same time the concept  of
          “just compensation” obviously suggests application  of  fair  and
          equitable principles and a reasonable approach on the part of the
          tribunals and the courts.  This reasonableness on the part of the
          tribunal and the court must be on a large peripheral field.”

8.    In Concord of India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Nirmala Devi[10] this  Court
has expressed thus: -

           “The determination of the quantum must be liberal, not niggardly
           since the law values life and limb in free country  in  generous
           scales.”

9.    In Mrs.  Helen  C.  Rebello  and  others  v.  Maharashtra  State  Road
Transport Corpn. and  another[11],  while  dealing  with  concept  of  “just
compensation”, it has been ruled that the word ‘just’, as its  nomenclature,
denotes equitability, fairness and reasonableness  having  large  peripheral
field.  The largeness is, of course, not arbitrary; it is restricted by  the
conscience which is fair, reasonable and equitable, if  it  exceeds;  it  is
termed as unfair, unreasonable, unequitable, not just.  The field  of  wider
discretion of the tribunal has to be within the  said  limitations.   It  is
required to make an award determining the amount of  compensation  which  in
turn appears to be “just and  reasonable”,  for  compensation  for  loss  of
limbs or life can hardly be weighed in golden scales as has been  stated  in
“State of Haryana and another v. Jasbir Kaur and others”[12].

10.   It is noteworthy  to  state  that  an  adjudicating  authority,  while
determining quantum of compensation, has to keep in view the  sufferings  of
the injured person which would include his inability to lead  a  full  life,
his incapacity to enjoy the normal amenities which  he  would  have  enjoyed
but for the injuries and his ability to earn as much as he used to  earn  or
could have earned.  Hence, while computing compensation the approach of  the
tribunal or a court has to be  broad  based.   Needless  to  say,  it  would
involve some guesswork as there cannot be any mathematical exactitude  or  a
precise formula to determine the quantum of compensation.  In  determination
of compensation the fundamental criterion of “just compensation”  should  be
inhered.

11.   Keeping in view the aforesaid aspects we shall proceed  to  state  the
factual score.  The factual matrix as unfurled, exposits that  on  11.3.2002
about 4.00 p.m. the claimant-appellant  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  ‘the
claimant) was hit from the behind by an auto bearing registration number TN-
9 C 7755 which was driven  in  a  rash  and  negligent  manner  and  in  the
accident he sustained triple fracture in spinal cord, fracture in  left  leg
neck of femur, fracture in right  hand  shoulder,  deep  cut  and  degloving
injury over right left thigh bone and multiple injuries all over the body.

12.   After the accident the claimant was admitted in  M.R.  Hospital  where
he availed treatment.  After the treatment, the  dislocation  of  the  bones
got reduced, pedical screws were inserted into pedicles of D11 vertebra  and
pedicle screws were passed into pedicles of  L1  vertebra.   Two  screws  on
left thigh were fixed using a rod each.  That apart,  decompression  of  D12
vertebra was done and bone chips were placed in the intertransverse area  on
both sides.  He was hospitalized for  28  days.   The  victim  had  numbness
below  the  knee  joint  and  was  facing  difficulty  to  stand   and   sit
comfortably.  As the evidence on record would reveal he has been  constantly
availing physiotherapy treatment  facing  difficulty  in  carrying  out  his
normal activities.  A disability certificate contained as  Ex.P4  was  filed
before the tribunal which showed permanent disability at 75%.

13.   The tribunal, as it appears from the  award,  had  also  assessed  the
permanent disability at 75% as fixed  by  PW-4,  Dr.  Thiagarajan.   It  had
awarded Rs.25,00,000/-  under  various  heads,  namely,  transport  charges,
extra nourishment, medical expenses, additional medical expenses,  pain  and
sufferings suffered  by  family  members  of  the  claimant,  mental  agony,
additional transport charges, inability of the appellant to  participate  in
public functions, loss  of  marital  life,  pain  and  suffering,  permanent
disability and loss of earning capacity.

14.   Before the High Court as serious objections were raised pertaining  to
percentage of disability, the claimant was referred  to  the  Medical  Board
and it was found that he had compression  fracture  which  had  healed  with
persistence of pain in the back  with  root  involvement  causing  grade  IV
power in left lower limb and, accordingly, the  Board  fixed  the  permanent
disability at 40%.   The  High  Court  adverted  to  the  concept  of  “just
compensation” and opined that the quantum of  damages  fixed  should  be  in
proportionate to the injuries caused.  It referred  to  certain  authorities
and opined that Rs.2,00,000/- towards medical expenses, Rs.5,000/- each  for
transport charges and extra  nourishment,  Rs.2,50,000/-  towards  pain  and
suffering, Rs.50,000/- for medical expenses and Rs.4,68,000/-  towards  loss
of earning capacity would be the just amount  of  compensation.   Thus,  the
total amount as determined by the High Court  came  to  Rs.9,78,000/-.   The
High Court reduced the interest to 7.5% from 9% as granted by the  tribunal.
 Be it noted, the said judgment and order  dated  27.1.2010  passed  by  the
High Court of Judicature at Madras in Civil Miscellaneous  Appeal  No.  1989
of 2005 whereby the High Court has reduced the compensation granted  by  the
Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (II  Small  Causes  Court),  Chennai,  on  an
application being moved under Section 166 of the Act is  the  subject-matter
of challenge herein.

15.   Mr. Vipin Nair, learned  counsel  appearing  for  the  appellant,  has
contended that the High Court has erroneously  held  that  there  cannot  be
grant of compensation under two heads, namely,  “permanent  disability”  and
“loss of earning  power”.   It  is  urged  by  him  that  the  tribunal  had
correctly appreciated the evidence on record and  fixed  certain  sum  under
various heads but the High Court on unacceptable  reasons  has  deleted  the
same.  It is also canvassed by him that the  High  Court  without  ascribing
any cogent reasons has reduced the expenses for  continuous  treatment  from
Rs.2,00,000/- to Rs.50,000/- as a  result  of  which  the  amount  had  been
substantially reduced and the concept of “just compensation”  has  lost  its
real characteristics.

16.   Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, learned counsel appearing for the respondent  No.
1, supported the order passed by the  High  Court  contending,  inter  alia,
that the analysis made by the learned single Judge  is  absolutely  flawless
and the interference in the  quantum  cannot  be  faulted  inasmuch  as  the
tribunal has awarded  a  large  sum  on  certain  heads  which  are  totally
impermissible in law.  It is also urged by her that certain  sums  had  been
allowed by the tribunal without any material on record and,  therefore,  the
High Court has correctly interfered with the award.

17.   The seminal issues that really emanate for consideration  are  whether
the analysis made by the High  Court  in  not  granting  compensation  under
certain heads  and  further  reduing  the  amount  on  certain  scores,  are
justified.   Regard  being  had  to  the  fundamental   essence   of   “just
compensation”, we shall presently deal with the manner  in  which  the  High
Court has dwelled upon various heads in respect of which  the  tribunal  had
granted certain sums towards  compensation.   On  a  perusal  of  the  order
passed by the High Court, it is manifest that  the  High  Court  relying  on
certain authorities of the said court has expressed the  view  that  once  a
particular amount  has  been  awarded  towards  `permanent  disability’,  no
further amount can be awarded relating to `loss of earning  capacity’.   The
learned counsel for the appellant has commended us to the  pronouncement  of
this Court in B. Kothandapani v.  Tamil  Nadu  State  Transport  Corporation
Ltd.[13], wherein the High Court had  placed  reliance  on  the  Full  Bench
decision in Cholan Roadways Corporation  Ltd.  v.  Ahmed  Thambi[14].   This
Court referred to the pronouncement in Ramesh Chandra v. Randhir  Singh[15],
wherein it has been stated thus: -



          “With regard to ground 19 covering  the  question  that  the  sum
          awarded for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of  life,  etc.
          termed as general damages  should  be  taken  to  be  covered  by
          damages granted for loss of earnings is  concerned  that  too  is
          misplaced and without any basis. The pain and suffering and  loss
          of enjoyment of life which is  a  resultant  and  permanent  fact
          occasioned by the nature of injuries received by the claimant and
          the ordeal he had to undergo.”


18.   In Ramesh Chandra (supra) the learned Judges proceeded to address  the
issue of difficulty or incapacity to earn and how it stands on  a  different
footing than pain and suffering affecting enjoyment of life  and  stated  as
under: -

          “The inability to earn livelihood on the basis of  incapacity  or
          disability which is quite different. The incapacity or disability
          to earn a  livelihood  would  have  to  be  viewed  not  only  in
          praesenti but in futuro on  reasonable  expectancies  and  taking
          into account deprival of earnings of a conceivable  period.  This
          head being totally different cannot in our view overlap the grant
          of compensation under the head of pain,  suffering  and  loss  of
          enjoyment of life. One head relates to the impairment of person’s
          capacity to earn, the other relates to the pain and suffering and
          loss of enjoyment of life by the person himself.”

19.   After referring to the said passage,  the  Bench  proceeded  to  state
that it is true that compensation for loss of earning power/capacity has  to
be   determined   based   on    various    aspects    including    permanent
injury/disability, but at the same time, it cannot be  construed  that  that
compensation cannot be granted for permanent disability of any  nature.   It
has been mentioned by way of an example that in  a  case  of  a  non-earning
member of a family who  has  been  injured  in  an  accident  and  sustained
permanent disability due  to  amputation  of  leg  or  hand,  it  cannot  be
construed that no amount needs to be granted for permanent  disability.   It
cannot be disputed that apart from the fact that  the  permanent  disability
affects the earning capacity of the person concerned, undoubtedly,  one  has
to forego other personal comforts and even for normal  avocation  they  have
to depend on others.

20.   In view of the aforesaid enunciation of law,  the  view  of  the  High
Court that no compensation can be granted towards permanent disability  once
compensation is computed for the  loss  of  earning  capacity  and  loss  of
future earnings is unsustainable.  As is perceivable,  the  High  Court  has
computed the loss of earning power at Rs.4,68,000/- instead of Rs.5,00,000/-
 as determined by the tribunal and deleted sum  of  Rs.3,00,000/-  that  was
awarded by the tribunal towards permanent  disability.   In  our  considered
opinion, total  deletion  is  absolutely  unjustified  and,  in  fact,  runs
counter to the principles laid down by this Court in Ramesh Chandra  (supra)
and B. Kothandapani (supra).

21.   At this juncture, we think it seemly to state that it is a case  where
the victim has suffered serious  injuries.   As  far  as  the  injuries  are
concerned, there is concurrence of opinion by the tribunal  as  well  as  by
the High  Court.   The  High  Court  has  only  reduced  the  percentage  of
permanent disability on the basis of assessment made by  the  Medical  Board
as there was a serious cavil with regard  to  the  said  percentage.   While
determining compensation payable to a victim of an accident  the  parameters
which are to be kept in view have been succinctly stated in R.D.  Hattangadi
v. Pest Control (India) Pvt. Ltd. and others[16]: -

           “9. Broadly speaking while  fixing  an  amount  of  compensation
           payable to a victim of an  accident,  the  damages  have  to  be
           assessed separately as pecuniary damages  and  special  damages.
           Pecuniary damages  are  those  which  the  victim  has  actually
           incurred and which are capable of being calculated in  terms  of
           money;  whereas  non-pecuniary  damages  are  those  which   are
           incapable of being assessed  by  arithmetical  calculations.  In
           order to appreciate two concepts pecuniary damages  may  include
           expenses incurred by the claimant: (i) medical attendance;  (ii)
           loss of earning of profit up to the date of trial;  (iii)  other
           material loss. So far non-pecuniary damages are concerned,  they
           may include (i) damages for mental and physical shock, pain  and
           suffering, already suffered or likely to be suffered in  future;
           (ii) damages to compensate for the loss  of  amenities  of  life
           which may include a variety of matters i.e. on account of injury
           the claimant may not be able to walk, run or sit; (iii)  damages
           for the loss of expectation of life, i.e., on account of  injury
           the normal longevity of the person concerned is shortened;  (iv)
           inconvenience, hardship, discomfort, disappointment, frustration
           and mental stress in life.”



22.   In Arvind Kumar Mishra v. New  India  Assurance  Company  Limited  and
another[17] a two-Judge Bench referred to the authority in  Kerala  SRTC  v.
Susamma Thomas[18] and  applied  the  principle  of  multiplier  for  future
earnings in a case of  permanent  disability.   We  have  referred  to  this
decision solely for the purpose that  multiplier  principle  has  been  made
applicable to an application preferred under Section 166 of the Act.

23.   In this context it is useful to refer to Raj Kumar v. Ajay  Kumar  and
Another[19], wherein a two-Judge Bench  after  referring  to  the  award  of
compensation in personal injury cases reiterated the concepts  of  pecuniary
damages (special damages) and non-pecuniary damages (general damages).   The
Bench referred to the  decisions  in  C.K.  Subramania  Iyer  (supra),  R.D.
Hattangadi (supra) and Baker v. Willoughby[20] and expressed the  view  that
it is obligatory on the part of the court or  the  tribunal  to  assess  the
damages objectively  and  exclude  from  consideration  any  speculation  or
fancy, though some conjecture with reference to  the  nature  of  disability
and  its  consequences,  is  inevitable.   A  person  is  not  only  to   be
compensated for the  physical  injury,  but  also  for  the  loss  which  he
suffered as a result of such injury.   He  is  to  be  compensated  for  his
inability to  lead  a  full  life,  his  inability  to  enjoy  those  normal
amenities which he  would  have  enjoyed  but  for  the  injuries,  and  his
inability to earn as much as he used to earn or could have earned.

24.    It is worthy noting that the Bench referred to the pecuniary  damages
and non-pecuniary damages and opined thus: -

           “Pecuniary damages (Special damages)

           (i) Expenses relating to treatment, hospitalisation,  medicines,
           transportation, nourishing food, and miscellaneous expenditure.

           (ii) Loss of earnings (and other gains) which the injured  would
           have made had he not been injured, comprising:

              (a) Loss of earning during the period of treatment;

              (b)  Loss  of  future  earnings  on  account   of   permanent
              disability.

           (iii) Future medical expenses.

           Non-pecuniary damages (General damages)

           (iv) Damages for pain, suffering and trauma as a consequence  of
           the injuries.

           (v) Loss of amenities (and/or loss of prospects of marriage).

           (vi)  Loss  of  expectation  of  life  (shortening   of   normal
           longevity).”




25.   After so stating the Bench  proceeded  to  opine  that  assessment  of
pecuniary damages under Item (i) and under Item (ii)(a)  do  not  pose  much
difficulty  as  they  involve  reimbursement  of  actuals  and  are   easily
ascertainable from the evidence. Award under  the  head  of  future  medical
expenses—Item (iii)—depends upon specific medical  evidence  regarding  need
for  further  treatment  and  cost  thereof.  Assessment  of   non-pecuniary
damages—Items (iv), (v) and (vi)—involves determination of lump sum  amounts
with   reference   to    circumstances    such    as    age,    nature    of
injury/deprivation/disability  suffered  by  the  claimant  and  the  effect
thereof on the future life of the claimant. It  has  been  observed  therein
that what usually poses some difficulty is the assessment  of  the  loss  of
future  earnings  on   account   of   permanent   disability—Item   (ii)(a).
Thereafter, the Bench adverted to the features  which  are  necessary  while
assessing the loss of future earnings on account  of  permanent  disability.
In the said case it has been opined that permanent disability can be  either
partial or total and the assessment of compensation under the heads of  loss
of future  earnings  would  depend  upon  the  factum  and  impact  of  such
permanent disability on his earning capacity.  It has been  laid  down  that
the tribunal should not  mechanically  apply  the  percentage  of  permanent
disability as the percentage of economic loss or loss of  earning  capacity.
It has been further observed that in most of the cases,  the  percentage  of
economic loss, i.e., the percentage of loss  of  earning  capacity,  arising
from a permanent  disability  will  be  different  from  the  percentage  of
permanent disability.  However, in some cases on  appreciation  of  evidence
and assessment the percentage of loss of earning capacity  as  a  result  of
the permanent disability would be approximately the same as  the  percentage
of permanent disability in which case, of  course,  the  court  or  tribunal
would adopt the said  percentage  for  determination  of  compensation.   To
arrive at the said conclusion reliance was placed  on  Arvind  Kumar  Mishra
(supra) and Yadav Kumar (supra).

26.   In the case at hand the High Court has determined the loss of  earning
capacity on the base of multiplier method and reduced  the  quantum  awarded
by the tribunal from Rs.5,00,000/- to Rs.4,68,000/-.  Applying the ratio  in
Yadav Kumar (supra) and Arvind Kumar  Mishra  (supra)  and  also  Raj  Kumar
(supra) and regard being had to the serious nature of injury we do not  find
any error in the said method of calculation and, accordingly, we uphold  the
method of computation as well as the quantum.

27.   Presently to the  grant  of  compensation  on  other  scores.   It  is
noticeable that the High Court has reduced the additional  medical  expenses
from Rs.2,00,000/- to Rs.50,000/-.  In our considered opinion, the  same  is
not correct as there is ample evidence on record as  regards  the  necessity
for treatment in future.   It  is  demonstrable  that  pedicle  screws  were
passed into pedicles of  D11  vertebra;  pedicle  screws  were  passed  into
pedicles of L1 vertebra; and two screws on left thigh were  connected  using
a rod each.  That may be required to be removed  or  scanned  from  time  to
time depending upon other aspects.  That apart,  there  is  persistent  pain
and as medically advised physiotherapy is necessary  and  hence,  continuous
treatment has to be availed of.  Thus, the High Court was not  justified  in
reducing the said amount.

28.   The High Court has  maintained  the  award  in  respect  of  transport
charges, extra nourishment, medical  expenses  and,  accordingly,  they  are
maintained.  It has enhanced the award from Rs.2,00,000/- to Rs.2,50,000  on
the head of pain and suffering,  but  has  deleted  the  amount  awarded  on
permanent disability from the total compensation awarded by the tribunal  by
relying on the decision in Cholan Roadways  Corporation  Ltd.  (supra).   As
has been stated earlier,  the  said  decision  has  been  considered  in  B.
Kothandapani (supra) and is not accepted, and this Court has  expressed  the
view  that  grant  of   compensation   towards   permanent   disability   is
permissible.   Regard  been  had  to  the  totality   of   the   facts   and
circumstances, we are inclined to think that compensation  of  Rs.2,50,000/-
should be granted towards permanent  disability  and  Rs.2,00,000/-  towards
pain and suffering.  We have so held as the injury is of serious nature  and
under the heading of non-pecuniary damages compensation is  awardable  under
the headings of pain and suffering and damages  for  loss  of  amenities  of
life on account of injury.   In the case of  R.D.  Hattangadi  (supra)  this
Court  has  granted  compensation  under  two  heads,  namely,   “pain   and
suffering”  and  “loss  of  amenities  of  life”.   Quite  apart  from  that
compensation was granted towards future earnings.  In Laxman  v.  Divisional
Manager, Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.  and  another[21]  it  has  been  ruled
thus: -


           “The ratio of the above noted judgments is that if the victim of
           an accident suffers  permanent  or  temporary  disability,  then
           efforts should always be made to award adequate compensation not
           only for the physical injury and treatment,  but  also  for  the
           pain, suffering and trauma  caused  due  to  accident,  loss  of
           earnings and victim’s inability to lead a normal life and  enjoy
           amenities, which he would have enjoyed but  for  the  disability
           caused due to the accident.”

Thus, the deletion by the High Court was not justified.   However,  we  have
restricted to the amount as stated hereinbefore.

29.   The High Court has deleted the additional transport charges.   We  are
disposed to think that while availing treatment the said expenses  would  be
imperative.  Hence, there was no  justification  to  reduce  the  same  and,
accordingly, we restore it.

30.   It is perceptible that the High Court has deleted the  amount  awarded
under the head of pain and suffering by family members of the  claimant  and
the amount granted towards loss of  marital  life.   There  is  no  iota  of
evidence with regard to loss of marital life, hence,  we  do  not  find  any
error in the said deletion.  As far as grant of compensation  on  the  score
of pain and  suffering  suffered  by  the  family  members  of  claimant  is
concerned, the same is not permissible and, accordingly, we hold  that  that
has been correctly deleted.

31.   The High Court has deleted an amount of Rs.3,00,000/-  and  a  sum  of
Rs.2,00,000/- towards  mental  agony  and  inability  on  the  part  of  the
claimant to participate in public functions respectively.  We  have  already
determined Rs.2,00,000/- under the heading of  pain  and  suffering  already
suffered  and  to  be  suffered  and  Rs.2,50,000/-  under  the  heading  of
permanent disability and hence, no different sum need be awarded  under  the
heading of mental agony.  As far as participation  in  public  functions  is
concerned, there is no evidence  in  that  regard  and,  therefore,  we  are
disposed to think that the finding of  the  High  Court  on  that  score  is
totally justified and does not call for any interference.

32.   Calculated on the aforesaid base, the compensation  would  be  payable
on the  headings,  namely,  transport  charges,  extra-nourishment,  medical
expenses, additional medical expenses, additional  transport  charges,  pain
and suffering, loss of earning capacity and  permanent  disability  and  the
amount on the aforesaid scores would be, in toto, Rs.13,48,000/-.  The  said
amount  shall  carry  interest  at  the  rate  of  7.5%  from  the  date  of
application till the date of payment.  The same shall  be  deposited  before
the tribunal within a period of two months and the tribunal  shall  disburse
50% of the amount in favour of the claimant  and  the  rest  of  the  amount
shall be deposited in a nationalized bank for a period of three  years.   Be
it  clarified  if  the  earlier  awarded  sum  has   been   deposited,   the
differential sum shall be deposited within the stipulated time as  mentioned
hereinabove and the disbursement shall take place accordingly.

32.   Consequently, the appeal is allowed in part  leaving  the  parties  to
bear their respective costs.




                                                             ……………………………….J.
                                                       [K. S. Radhakrishnan]



                                                             ……………………………….J.
                                                               [Dipak Misra]

New Delhi;
October 19, 2012.
-----------------------
[1]    1942 AC 601
[2]    (1994) 5 SCC 5
[3]    (1963) 2 All ER 625
[4]    (1926) All ER 124 : 1926 AC 655
[5]    (2003) 2 SCC 274
[6]    (1979) 1 All ER 332
[7]    (1965) 1 All ER 563
[8]    AIR 1970 SC 376
[9]    (2010) 10 SCC 341
[10]   (1979) 4 SCC 365
[11]   AIR 1998 SC 3191
[12]   (2003) 7 SCC 484
[13]   (2011) 6 SCC 420
[14]   (2006) 4 CTC 433 (Mad)
[15]   (1990) 3 SCC 723
[16]   (1995) 1 SCC 551
[17]   (2010) 10 SCC 254
[18]   (1994) 2 SCC 176
[19]   (2011) 1 SCC 343
[20]   1970 AC 467 : (1970) 2 WLR 50 : (1969) 3 All ER 1528 (HL)
[21]   2012 ACJ 191