LUCY JOY Vs. SUNDERRAJ

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These four appeals arise from four Applications for compensation, which were disposed of by the Employees Compensation Commissioner as per a common order. The Opposite Parties Nos.4 & 5 are the appellants. An accident occurred in a granite stone quarry situated in the property of the 1st Opposite Party. Three persons died in an accident and one person suffered injuries. The person who suffered injuries filed E.C.C. No. 146/2014 and the legal heirs of the persons who died in the accident filed E.C.C. No. 147/2014, 148/2014 and 149/2014.

(2.) The Applications were filed against three persons on the allegation that those persons have been operating the quarry as on the date of the accident which occurred at 8.45 A.M on 5/2/2009. The Opposite Parties Nos.1, 2 and 3 filed joint Written Statement. During the pendency of the Applications, the 1st Opposite Party died and the additional Opposite Parties Nos. 4 to 7 were impleaded as the legal heirs of the 1st Opposite Party. They filed additional Written Statement.

(3.) The Commissioner found that the injured and deceased persons with respect to whom the compensation is claimed in the Applications were the employees of the 1st Opposite Party. Consequently, the Orders were passed granting compensation in favour of the applicants, holding that the Opposite Parties Nos.4 to 7, who are the legal heirs of the deceased 1st Opposite Party, are liable to satisfy the award. These appeals are filed by the Opposite Parties Nos. 4 and 5 challenging their liability to pay the awarded amounts as per the orders passed by the Employees Compensation Commissioner.