3-year-old child gets Rs 7.70 lakh compensation as he loses his hand in an accident

Chennai: The motor accident claims tribunal, Chennai, has directed the owner of a van and an insurance firm to pay a compensation of Rs 7.70 lakh to a 3-year-old child whose hand was amputated after an accident caused by the vehicle.

Special sub-judge J. Chandran said, “Great poet, Bharathiyar, sang Odivilaiyadu Pappa in Pappa Paattu. But, due to the injuries, the boy cannot participate in sports and games and compete with other students.”

In the petition, the father of the victim, R. Sekar of Thiruvottiyur, submitted that his three-year-old son was standing on the extreme left of Thiruchinankuppam road near corporation school at Thiruvottiyur on January 28, 2010 at 2 pm. A van, driven in a rash and negligent manner by its driver, dashed against the boy. After knocking him down, the rear wheel of the car ran over his left hand and he suffered grievous injuries. His left hand below the shoulder broke into pieces and, subsequently, it was amputated. He suffered 70 per cent permanent disability.

The accident was caused by the negligence of the driver. Hence, Sekar, filed the petition on behalf of his son seeking a compensation of Rs 15 lakh from V. Meenakshisundaram, owner of the vehicle, and Reliance General Insurance Company, the insurer of the vehicle.

Meenakshisundaram did not appear before the court. In its reply, the insurance firm denied the allegation. The owner of car had not obtained insurance cover from the firm.

Rejecting this, the judge said a boy aged 3 years, supposed to lead his life with joy, fun and enjoyment with dreams. In future, he would not get jobs in various uniformed services and play games such as volleyball and cricket. He has lost his prosperous future.

The judge directed the insurance firm to pay a compensation of Rs 7.70 lakh to the child.