In Brief
A 22-year-old self-employed motorcycle rider suffered amputation of his right leg above the knee in a motor accident. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded Rs. 6.7 lakhs, which the High Court enhanced to Rs. 10.1 lakhs. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that the claimant's functional disability should be assessed at 90% (not 50% as lower courts determined) because his self-employment requires mobility severely hampered by amputation. The Court also corrected the claimant's age to 22 years based on documentary evidence, affecting the multiplier calculation. The Court enhanced total compensation to Rs. 28.93 lakhs, accounting for loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, assistive devices, and other heads."
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