IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
MFA No. 163 of 2002()
1. VARGHESE S/O.LQTE KURIAKOSE, AGED 70
... Petitioner
Vs
1. MUSTAFFA AGE NOT KNOWN S/O.ABOOBACKER,
... Respondent
2. K.MOHAMMED AGE NOT KONWN S/O.BAPPU HAJI,
3. UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO.LTD.,KALPETTA
For Petitioner :SRI.N.J.ANTONY
For Respondent :SRI.P.MURALEEDHARAN
The Hon'ble MR. Justice K.PADMANABHAN NAIR
Dated :05/12/2007
O R D E R
K. PADMANABHAN NAIR ,J.
-------------------------------------------------
M.F.A.No.163 of 2002
-------------------------------------------------
Dated, this the 5th day of December, 2007
JUDGMENT
The petitioner in O.P.(MV) No.424/1994 on the file of the Motor Accidents
Claims Tribunal, Kalpetta is the appellant. Appellant who is a 77 year old man
sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident on 29.4.1994. He filed Original
Petition claiming compensation impleading the owner, driver and insurer of the
vehicle. Tribunal found that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the
driver of the vehicle. It also found that the appellant is entitled to get
compensation and awarded Rs.4,650/- as compensation. Alleging that the
compensation awarded is inadequate the petitioner himself has filed this appeal.
2. The finding of the Tribunal that the accident occurred due to the
negligence of the driver of the bus, the appellant is entitled to get compensation
and the insurer is liable to indemnify the insured have become final and
conclusive. So the only question arising for consideration is whether the appellant
is entitled to get any amount as additional compensation.
3. The wound certificate produced by the appellant before the Tribunal
shows that he sustained fracture of the left mandible and he was treated as
inpatient for nine days in hospital. Tribunal took a view that he did not sustain
any disability and awarded Rs.4,000/- only for pain and suffering. According to
me the amount of compensation awarded for pain and suffering is low and the
MFA No.163/2002 -: 2 :-
Tribunal ought to have awarded a reasonable amount for discomfort and injury
sustained by the appellant. So I am of the view that the appellant is entitled to get
an additional compensation of Rs.10,000/- which will carry interest at the rate of
6% per annum.
In the result, appeal is allowed in part. An award is passed in favour of the
appellant allowing him to recover an amount of Rs.10,000/- more with 6% interest
per annum from the date of accident till the date of realisation. Third respondent
insurer is directed to deposit the additional compensation also. On deposit the
appellant can withdraw the entire amount.
K. PADMANABHAN NAIR,
JUDGE.
cks
MFA No.163/2002 -: 3 :-
K.PADMANABHAN NAIR, J.
M.F.A.No.163 of 2002
JUDGMENT
5th December, 2007.