Chandigarh tribunal awards ₹16 lakh to Ambala man who lost limb in mishap

Petitioner said he was confined to bed, 100% permanently disabled and unable to do any work or earn anything

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chandigarh, has awarded a compensation of ₹16.09 lakh to an Ambala resident, who lost his limb in a road accident.

After hearing arguments, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chandigarh, directed the insurance company to pay ₹16.09 lakh along with an interest of 9% per annum from the date of institution of the claim petition till realisation. (HT FILE PHOTO)

Vinod Kumar, 30, of Jhiriwala village, Ambala, filed a complaint against canter driver Ranjit Singh, owner Om Parkash and insurer SBI General Insurance Company Limited, Chandigarh.

Kumar was working as a driver of goods vehicles, earning ₹12,000 per month. He told the tribunal that on the intervening night of February 24/25, 2015, he was going from Kala Amb to Panipat in a canter being driven by Ranjit Singh at high speed and in a rash and careless manner.

Kumar said that despite several requests, Singh did not slow down. At about 2am, when they reached near Tepla village on Saha-Ambala road, an animal suddenly jumped in front of the canter and they met with an accident.

Kumar was severely injured and his left leg from the knee-down was amputated at PGIMER. He said that he was still under treatment and was confined to bed being 100% permanently disabled, unable to do any work or earn anything. A sum of ₹3 lakh was spent by him on his treatment and would need another ₹3 lakh for an artificial limb, he said.

After hearing the arguments, the tribunal directed the insurance company to pay ₹16.09 lakh along with an interest of 9% per annum from the date of institution of the claim petition till realisation.