Chennai: Insurance firm to pay Rs 28 lakh to road mishap victim's kin

Chennai: The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chennai, directed an insurance firm to pay a compensation of Rs 28 lakh to family members of a 24-year old business development executive, for his death in a road accident eight years ago.

In her petition K. Vijayalakhmi submitted that her son K. Venkatesan was working as a business development executive, and earning a salary of Rs 15,957 per month. On October 20, 2010 at about 1.30 am, he was walking along Rajiv Gandhi Salai near Kandhanchavadi. A lorry came from the opposite of Titan building, Kandhanchavadi, driven by its driver in a rash and negligent manner and hit him from behind. He sustained severe head injuries and died on the way to hospital.

She said that her family members depended on the income of Venkatesan. Beena Palani, owner of the lorry and Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance India Pvt Ltd., insurer of the vehicle, were liable to pay compensation of Rs 30 lakh to her family members.

In its reply, Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance India Pvt Ltd submitted that Venkatesan was responsible for the accident and sought to dismiss the petition.

S. Umamaheswari, judge, small causes court -III, said that this Tribunal holds that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the lorry driver. Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance India Pvt Ltd, being the insurer of the vehicle, was liable to pay compensation of Rs 28 lakh to the family members of the deceased.