An injured minor’s disability compensation was enhanced to ₹6,000 per percentage point.

The appellant, a minor travelling as a pillion rider, sustained injuries, including a fracture to her right leg, when the two-wheeler on which she was riding collided with the first respondent’s lorry.

The Tribunal found the lorry driver negligent and awarded the claimant Rs.70,000, including Rs.25,000 for 5% disability.

The claimant appealed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, seeking enhancement, contending that the amounts awarded for disability and other heads were inadequate.

The High Court noted that the claimant was a minor and school-going at the time of the accident.

Whether the compensation awarded for the claimant’s 5% disability should be enhanced.

Whether the amounts awarded for pain and suffering, transportation, nutrition, and discomfort and loss of social enjoyment warranted enhancement.

The appeal was brought under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The Court applied no identified precedent or separately articulated statutory test for reassessing quantum.

It assessed compensation by reference to the evidence of injury and disability, the claimant’s age and status as a school-going child, and the amounts appropriate under the individual heads of compensation.

The Court accepted the Medical Board’s assessment of 5% disability but considered Rs.5,000 per percentage inadequate given the claimant’s fracture and minority; it increased the rate to Rs.6,000 per percentage, producing Rs.30,000 for disability.

It left pain and suffering at Rs.25,000, but raised transportation expenses from Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000, nutrition charges from Rs.5,000 to Rs.25,000, and discomfort and loss of social enjoyment from Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000, taking account of the claimant’s age and injury.

The second respondent insurer was directed to deposit the enhanced compensation, less any amount already deposited, with interest at 7.5% per annum from the date of the claim petition until deposit, within eight weeks.

The claimant may withdraw the amount, subject to sums already withdrawn and the Tribunal’s directions on disbursement; no costs were awarded.