Chhattisgarh HC doubles compensation to Rs 18.99 lakh for 13-year-old who lost leg in road mishap

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh High Court has enhanced the compensation for a 13-year-old girl who lost her left leg in a road accident in 2019. Justice Sanjay K Agrawal, in a judgement delivered on September 4, increased the compensation from the Rs 9 lakh awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to Rs 18,99,062. The court has instructed the private insurance company to pay the enhanced amount of Rs 9,99,062 with an annual interest of 9% within three months.The court's decision came while hearing two appeals. One was filed by the girl from Siltara, Raipur seeking an enhancement of the compensation, and the other was filed by the insurance company to be exonerated from its liability.The incident occurred on November 26, 2019, when the girl, a Class 6 student, suffered a severe injury in an accident involving a motorcycle driven by her father. The claims tribunal in Raipur had initially awarded a compensation of Rs 9 lakh, which the insurance company was directed to pay.The insurance company argued that the police had registered the case against an 'unknown person,' and the vehicle was not involved. The court, however, dismissed the insurer's appeal, relying on the claimant's statement, who was an eye-witness to the accident.While enhancing the compensation, the court cited Supreme Court rulings in similar cases. The compensation for loss of marriage prospects was increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. The court also increased the amount for pain and suffering from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh and the amount for disability from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10,99,062.Other awarded compensations included Rs 1.25 lakh for medical expenses, Rs 25,000 for future medical expenses, and Rs 50,000 for special diet, transportation, and attendant charges. The court upheld these amounts. The court's judgment modifies the earlier award of the claims tribunal.