Supreme Court Enhances Compensation for Accident Victim; Awards Rs. 21.75 Lakhs, Taking Future Prospects and Attender Charges into Account

Case Name: R. Logeshkumar v. P. Balasubramaniam & Anr.
Citation: 2025 INSC 1392
Date of Judgment/Order: 05 December 2025
Bench: S.V.N. Bhatti, J.; K.V. Viswanathan, J.

Held: The Supreme Court enhanced the compensation awarded by the High Court in an accident case, holding that the claimant’s future prospects and the requirement of an attender for his daily functions were crucial factors in determining just compensation. The Court found that the High Court had not accounted for the claimant’s functional disability and his need for lifelong assistance, ordering a lump sum of Rs. 3,00,000/- for an attender. The Court also considered future loss of income by adding 1/3rd of the salary as future prospects, thus increasing the functional disability compensation to Rs. 16,64,064/-. The Court adjusted the compensation for medical expenses and the need for an attendant.

Summary: The appellant, a 21-year-old accounts assistant, was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2012 when a jeep struck him, resulting in severe injuries. He was later diagnosed with functional disability, and the Tribunal initially awarded Rs. 3,98,017/- as compensation. The appellant filed an appeal before the High Court for enhancement, which was partially accepted, raising the compensation to Rs. 14,65,617/-. The High Court considered the functional disability and medical expenses but did not account for future income loss or a reasonable allowance for an attendant. The appellant appealed before the Supreme Court for further enhancement, specifically seeking future prospects and reimbursement for additional medical expenses. The Court, relying on previous precedents such as Nagappa v. Gurudayal Singh, enhanced the compensation to Rs. 21,75,681/- and allocated a lump sum amount for attendant charges.

Decision: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal in part, enhancing the total compensation to Rs. 21,75,681/-. The Court revised the compensation under multiple heads, including functional disability, loss of income, and attendant charges, while maintaining the compensation for transport, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. The Court directed the payment of the enhanced amount with interest at 7.5% from the date of filing the claim petition. The deficit court fee was to be deposited before the Tribunal within six weeks, and there was no order as to costs. Pending applications were disposed of.