Bengaluru: Karnataka high court has substantially increased the accident compensation of an IT couple injured in a 2012 accident from Rs 8.7 lakh to over Rs 53 lakh, accounting for loss of future income.The couple suffered grievous injuries when a truck slammed their car in Nelamangala, while returning from Chitradurga to Bengaluru in Sept 2012. GM Mahantharaj and GR Vinutha underwent surgeries for multiple fractures.Mahantharaj told Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Chitradurga that he was working with IBM as an engineer with a monthly salary of Rs 80,000 and his wife, a computer science engineer, earned Rs 20,000.The tribunal, in its Dec 31, 2016 order, awarded Rs 5.88 lakh to Mahantharaj and Rs 2.9 lakh to Vinutha. Dissatisfied with the quantum, the couple filed appeals before the high court.A division bench of Justices Jayant Banerji and Tara Vitasta Ganju observed Mahantharaj’s job required him to remain seated for long periods. However, the accident had left him with injuries to his right forearm and right hip. His right hand required surgery involving insertion of a rod, plate and screws, while his hip joint had been dislocated.“These injuries,” the bench noted, would “hamper his ability” to perform his work, more so promotional opportunities.The court found that the tribunal failed to factor in the loss of future income on account of permanent disability. It consequently awarded Rs 43 lakh towards loss of future income due to disability, taking his total compensation to Rs 47.8 lakh along with 7.5% annual interest — nearly eight times the amount originally awarded by the tribunal.The compensation awarded to his wife, a computer engineer who was also injured in the accident, was increased from Rs 2.9 lakh to Rs 5.22 lakh, with the same rate of interest.Truck insurer Reliance General Insurance challenged the tribunal’s order, disputing liability and contending that the insured vehicle was not at fault. After examining the evidence, the high court dismissed the insurer’s appeal.
