Teen requiring lifelong catheterisation after crash gets ₹8.69 lakh more in compensation

The appellant was 13 years old when he sustained pelvic and urethral injuries in a motor accident.

Although the pelvic fracture left no residual disability, the urethral injury required daily self-catheterisation and dilation; the Medical Board could not quantify the resulting disability as a percentage.

The MACT awarded ₹15,88,008, including ₹3,00,000 for loss of future income and ₹10,80,000 for catheterisation costs, calculated using a multiplier of 15.

The claimant appealed, seeking enhancement on both heads.

1. Whether the claimant’s loss of future income should be reassessed by applying a functional-disability percentage, skilled-worker minimum wages, future prospects, and a multiplier appropriate to a minor.

2. Whether the compensation for the claimant’s continuing catheterisation expenses should be calculated using a multiplier of 18 rather than 15.

The Court relied on Rubi Devi & Anr. v. The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors., 2026:DHC:3674, in taking the multiplier applicable to a minor as 18.

For assessing future loss of income, the Court applied skilled-worker minimum wages of ₹4,358 per month, added 40% towards future prospects, and assessed functional disability at 70%.

It also applied a multiplier of 18 to the claimant’s recurring catheterisation costs.

No statute is expressly identified in the judgment.

The Court considered the continuing, daily management required by the urethral injury and the medical evidence that the claimant could not meet the physical standards for Army or paramilitary jobs.

It concluded that the condition would affect his future employment prospects and career, and assessed functional disability at 70%, notwithstanding the absence of a quantified medical percentage.

It then recalculated future-income compensation using skilled-worker minimum wages, 40% future prospects, and a multiplier of 18; it also allowed seven months’ income loss for the treatment period.

Because catheterisation was required daily and the claimant was 13 at the time of the accident, the Court increased the multiplier for that expense from 15 to 18.

The Insurance Company was directed to deposit the enhanced amount, with accrued interest, before the MACT within four weeks; the entire compensation was to be released as a lump sum into the claimant’s designated savings account.

The appeal was disposed of.