In Brief
A 20-year-old data entry operator, injured in a 2012 motor accident causing amputation of his right arm (89% medical disability), sued for ₹50 lakh compensation. The High Court awarded ₹7,77,600 for loss of earning capacity, rejecting claims for future prospects and reducing his claimed income from ₹12,000 to ₹8,000/month. The Supreme Court held that the courts erred in disregarding his self-employment income evidence and wrongly denying future prospects compensation. The Court reaffirmed that permanent injury victims deserve future prospects benefits (40% for those under 40), assessed his realistic income at ₹10,000/month (₹14,000 with prospects), and fixed disability at 65% (not 45%). The appeal was partly allowed; compensation enhanced to ₹19,65,600, emphasizing that courts must ensure 'just compensation' reflecting the profound physical, mental, and emotional trauma of permanent disablement.
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