Summary of Judgment Suresh Jatav vs. Sukhendra Singh & Ors.

Related Law:

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (Compensation for injuries in motor accidents)

Citation: 2025 INSC 821
Case Title: Suresh Jatav vs. Sukhendra Singh & Ors.
Civil Appeal No.: 9459 of 2025 (@ SLP (C) No. 20068 of 2022)
Court: Supreme Court of India
Judges: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia & Hon’ble Mr. Justice K. Vinod Chandran
Date of Judgment: 14th July 2025.

Background

1. Accident Details:
   On 12.08.2002, the appellant, Suresh Jatav, suffered severe injuries in a motor accident involving a rashly driven bus and an auto-rickshaw.
   Injuries included a compound fracture in the right leg (fibula) and a fracture in the right hand (ulna), requiring surgery and prolonged treatment.

2. Tribunal’s Award (Initial Compensation):
   Income: Adopted ₹3,000/month (rejected claimed ₹6,000/month).
   Disability: Reduced from 35% (medical certificate) to 25% (whole-body assessment).
   Compensation Breakdown:
   Medical expenses: ₹10,000 (against claimed ₹25,000).
   Pain/suffering: ₹5,000.
   Special diet: ₹3,000.
   Total: ₹1,62,000.

3. High Court’s Enhancements:
   Income: Increased to ₹3,500/month + 40% future prospects.
   Additional Grants:
   Future treatment: ₹25,000.
   Attendant charges: ₹12,000 (₹2,000/month for 6 months).
   Pain/suffering: ₹30,000.
   Transportation: ₹10,000.

Issues Before the Supreme Court

1. Whether the appellant’s income as a skilled mason (₹6,000/month) and 35% disability (as per medical evidence) should be accepted.

2. Whether the compensation required further enhancement for medical expenses, pain/suffering, and loss of income.

Supreme Court’s Decision

1. Income & Disability:
   Cited Ramachandrappa v. Royal Sundaram Insurance (2011) to justify ₹6,000/month income for a skilled mason (higher than unskilled workers’ wages).
   Disability upheld at 35%, rejecting the Tribunal’s arbitrary reduction. The Court emphasized that the appellant’s vocational incapacity (inability to lift weights, sit, or walk comfortably) was proven.

2. Enhanced Compensation:
   Revised Calculation:Heads of ClaimAmountPermanent disability (₹6,000 × 12 × 140% × 16 multiplier × 35%)₹5,64,480Future treatment₹25,000Special diet (6 months)₹12,000Loss of income (6 months)₹36,000Medical expenses₹20,000Pain/suffering₹50,000Attendant charges₹12,000Total₹7,19,480

3. Directions:
   Insurance company to pay the balance amount (after deducting prior payments) within 2 months via online transfer.
   Interest as per Tribunal’s rate from the date of the claim petition.

Conclusion

• The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, enhancing total compensation to ₹7,19,480 by:
  Accepting the appellant’s actual income and disability percentage.
  Granting higher amounts for medical expenses, pain/suffering, and loss of income based on evidence.

• The judgment underscores the primacy of medical evidence in disability assessment and fair wage evaluation for skilled laborers.

Final Disposal: All pending applications were closed.