Reportable
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF
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 others2, 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. Shephard3:-
“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 Susquehanna4]. 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 nonpecuniary 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 others5 wherein the observations of Lord Denning M.R. in Lim Poh Choo v. Camden and Islington Area Health Authority6 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. James7 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 Nair8. 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 another9, 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 Devi10 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.
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
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 Thambi14. This Court referred to the pronouncement in Ramesh Chandra v. Randhir Singh15, 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 others16: -
“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 nonpecuniary 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 another17 a two-Judge Bench referred to the authority in Kerala SRTC v. Susamma Thomas18 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 Another19, 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. Willoughby20 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 nonpecuniary 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 another21 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, extranourishment, 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.
33. Consequently, the appeal is allowed in part leaving the parties to bear their respective costs.
……………………………….J.
[K. S. Radhakrishnan]
……………………………….J.
[Dipak Misra]
