In Brief
On 18-19 May 2010, a car carrying the appellants' parents was hit by a truck near Phagwara, Punjab, killing both occupants. The appellants sought compensation from the insurer, National Insurance Company Ltd. A tribunal awarded Rs. 41,55,235, but the Delhi High Court reduced it to Rs. 21,66,000 on appeal, denying future prospects to the self-employed deceased. The Supreme Court held that self-employed persons below 40 years deserve 40% future prospects addition and that living expenses should be deducted at one-third, not 50%. The Court increased total compensation to Rs. 38,24,890 with 9% interest.
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