The Supreme Court held that “just compensation” under the MV Act goes beyond strict mathematical calculation, aiming to provide solace for irreparable loss. It observed that the value of a young life and a family’s grief cannot be fully measured in monetary terms.
The Bombay High Court ruled that mediclaim payments cannot be deducted from compensation awarded under the Motor Vehicles Act. This affirms that compensation for accidents is a statutory right, while mediclaim is based on a separate contractual agreement, ensuring victims receive full compensation without unfair deductions based on insurance payouts.
The Supreme Court raised the compensation for a motor accident victim to Rs. 48,00,000, criticizing the High Court for inadequately assessing damages beyond loss of income. The Court emphasized fair compensation for both pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses while acknowledging that money cannot replace a lost life, ensuring justice for the victim’s permanent disability.