A 25% addition for future prospects is warranted for a 42-year-old accident victim.

The claimant appealed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Vadodara’s award dated 21 August 2024 in MACP No. 398 of 2016. The appeal concerned the amount of compensation, including loss of dependency and future prospects; the Insurance Company did not dispute the accident-related facts or liability.

The Tribunal assessed the victim’s age as 42 but had not added compensation for future prospects.

Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides for an appeal against an award of a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal.

In assessing compensation, the Court treated an addition of 25% to established income for future prospects as appropriate, having regard to the victim’s age and employment nature.

The Court noted that the Tribunal had assessed the victim’s age as 42 but omitted an addition for future prospects. It therefore added 25% to the established income and, after accounting for personal expenses and applying the appropriate multiplier, quantified total compensation under the listed heads at Rs. 3,81,740. After deducting the Rs. 3,21,723 already awarded, it calculated an enhancement of Rs. 60,017.

The Court considered interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing the claim petition appropriate.

The Court directed that Original Opponents Nos. 1–3 bear 80% and Original Opponents Nos. 4–5 bear 20% of the total awarded amount, subject to adjustment of sums already paid or deposited; it also directed disbursement by the Tribunal after verification and deduction of any unpaid court fees.