Compensation award, including multiplier of 18 for an 18-year-old deceased, warrants no appellate interference.

On 13 July 2012, an 18-year-old diploma student riding a two-wheeler was involved in a collision with a State Express Transport Corporation bus and died.

His parents sought compensation. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal found the bus driver negligent and awarded ₹7,03,000, including ₹6,48,000 for loss of dependency, applying a monthly income of ₹6,000 and multiplier of 18.

The Corporation appealed, challenging both liability and the quantum, particularly the income assessment and multiplier.

1. Whether the Tribunal’s award of compensation was excessive, including its assessment of the deceased’s monthly income and application of multiplier 18.

2. Whether the Tribunal’s finding of negligence and the Corporation’s liability warranted appellate interference.

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

It states that the multiplier of 18 was “in accordance with law” and assesses the award by reference to the deceased’s age and educational circumstances, the monthly income fixed by the Tribunal, and the amounts awarded under the separate heads.

The Court noted that the deceased was about 18 years old and that documents established he was pursuing his studies.

It upheld the Tribunal’s monthly income assessment of ₹6,000 and multiplier of 18, and found the awards for loss of love and affection and funeral expenses reasonable.

Considering these factors together, it rejected the Corporation’s contention that the compensation was excessive or the multiplier improper. The Court found no reason to interfere with the Tribunal’s award.

The Court directed the Corporation to deposit the entire award amount with accrued interest within six weeks, if not already deposited. Upon deposit, the claimants may withdraw the amount according to the Tribunal’s apportionment; the connected civil miscellaneous petition was closed.