Chennai: The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chennai, has awarded a compensation of Rs 22.22 lakh to a 20-year old volleyball player who sustained grievous injuries in a road accident.
His employment opportunity with the Southern Railway was dashed after the mishap. In the petition, S. Manikandan, Anna Nagar East, submitted that he is a volleyball player and won several medals in state and national level competitions. He was waiting for placement in Southern Railway.
On November 20, 1997, at about 3.30 am he was proceeding to Chetpet university ground. He was travelling as a pillion rider on a motorcycle on Kilpauk Garden Road, along ICF colony.
A Maruti van hit the two-wheeler and fled the place. As a result, Manikandan sustained grievous injuries and was rushed to a private hospital. The K-4 Anna Nagar police station registered a case against the driver.
He sought direction to T. Prabhu of Mandaveli, owner of the van and United India Insurance Co. Ltd, insurer of the vehicle, liable to pay a compensation of Rs 2.14 crore since the van driver was responsible for the accident.
In its reply, United India Insurance Co. Ltd denied the allegations. He was hit by a Mahindra van and not by Maruti van. The accident took place due to the negligence of the two-wheeler rider and not the van driver.
The accident occurred on November 20, 1997, and he filed the claim on April 25, 2001. He filed the petition nearly three and a half years after the accident occurred. Hence, he cannot seek compensation and petition liable to be dismissed.
Judge, Small Causes Court-II, S. Priya held that the accident occurred only due to the rash and negligent driving of the van driver. Manikandan claims that he is a sportsperson and if this accident would have not happened he would have been recruited for Group D post in Southern Railway.
The volleyball player cannot be an active player throughout his life. The mishap almost doomed his entire career and goals. Hence this tribunal fixes 100 per cent disability as functional disability.
Considering the nature of work, this tribunal has directed the insurance firm to pay him a compensation of Rs 22.22 lakh.
