SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION UNDER SECTION 166 OF THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988

NAME		MOBILE NO.	E-MAIL I’D
RANJEET KUMAR		8383098478, 9667769795	rk@courtkutchehry.com
JAI THAKUR		8130703334, 9355723300	jai.thakur@courtkutchehry.com
RAJEEV RANJAN		9334553249	rajiv.ranjan@courtkutchehry.com
ASHOK MISHRA		9718327746	sales@courtkutchehry.com
RAVI KUMAR			ravi.singh@courtkutchehry.com

Lalan D. @ Lal & Anr Vs. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd, (2020) 09 SC CK 0030

A Full Bench of the Supreme Court held that in the case of a finding that the victim is virtually lying as vegetable, the degree of disability is to be reckoned as 100% (i.e. permanent disability) for award of compensation under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The assessment of the monthly income of the victim is essentially a finding of question of fact to be looked into by the Tribunal / High Court which do not require to be disturbed by the Apex Court. The compensation is also to be awarded under the head of ‘loss of future prospects’ and in view of the 100% disability, 40% of the income of the victim can be considered as loss of future earnings.  This will be in addition to compensation to be awarded for permanent disability. The compensation under the heads ‘pain and suffering’ and towards ‘loss of amenities and enjoyment in life’ are also to be calculated inconsonance with the degree of disability. ‘Medical Attendant Charges’ (bystander expenses) and ‘Future Treatment Cost’ in the case of permanent disability are to be calculated keeping into view that the victim require caregiver round the clock and round the year so as to remain barely functional which may be awarded as lump sum compensation judging by the stratum of the society he comes from.