Future loss of earnings must reflect the claimant’s assessed disability and applicable multiplier.

The appellant claimed that on 8 July 2019, while riding his motorcycle, he was struck from behind by a car driven rashly and negligently, sustaining injuries for which he received inpatient treatment for ten days.

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded him ₹5,76,000 with interest at 6% per annum.

He appealed under Section 173(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, seeking enhancement, principally contending that disability and compensation under several heads had been inadequately assessed.

Whether the Tribunal’s assessment of compensation for loss of future earnings, having regard to the claimant’s disability, required enhancement.

Whether compensation under other heads, including loss of earnings during treatment, pain and suffering, loss of amenities, attendant and incidental expenses, and future medical expenses, required enhancement.

The appeal was brought under Section 173(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which provides for an appeal against a Claims Tribunal’s award.

In reassessing compensation, the Court applied the multiplier method to calculate loss of future earnings, using the claimant’s monthly income, the multiplier corresponding to his age, and the percentage of disability affecting earning capacity.

No precedent or further statutory provision was cited in the judgment.

The Court accepted a monthly income of ₹14,000 and, relying on the doctor’s evidence, assessed disability at 10%. Applying a multiplier of 17, it recalculated loss of future earnings at ₹2,85,600 (₹14,000 × 12 × 17 × 10%), replacing the Tribunal’s award of ₹2,04,000.

Considering the nature of the injuries, it assessed three months’ loss of earnings during treatment at ₹42,000 and enhanced the amounts for pain and suffering, loss of amenities, and attendant and incidental expenses; it also increased future medical expenses.

The medical-expense award was left undisturbed.

It awarded the appellant enhanced compensation of ₹1,50,600, with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the appeal until realization, and directed the insurer to deposit the enhanced amount within six weeks of receiving the certified judgment.