In Brief
On 24 September 2005, a 28-year-old agriculturist suffered traumatic paraplegia when a tractor demonstrator turned turtle and fell on him at a Sonalika tractor event. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded Rs. 8,66,000/- compensation. The insurer appealed, and the High Court reversed the award, claiming the appellant was illegally riding the mudguard. The Supreme Court held the Tribunal's finding—that the appellant was boarding the tractor when it fell—was correct based on eyewitness testimony and the insurer's failure to produce contradicting evidence. The Court enhanced compensation by Rs. 2,70,000/- to Rs. 11,36,000/-, and increased future medical expenses from Rs. 30,000/- to Rs. 1,20,000/- given the permanent 100% disability."
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