In Brief
These consolidated appeals challenged High Court awards of compensation in motor vehicle accident death claims. The Supreme Court upheld awards of 'loss of consortium' to wives, children, and parents at Rs. 40,000 each, recognizing that consortium encompasses spousal, parental, and filial relationships. However, the Court set aside compensation awarded under the separate head 'loss of love and affection,' holding that such losses are already comprehended within consortium and cannot form an independent compensation head. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunals were directed to recompute compensation accordingly, limiting awards to the three conventional heads established by precedent.
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