BHAGWANDAS Vs. MOHAMMAD ARIF

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Several importment questions relating to the computation of the present value of future earnings or losses arise in this appeal. The principles of law that I propose to discuss will be useful not only for computing damages in claims by the injured but also in claims by dependants of deceased persons. The object is to evolve a simple and easy method which, at the same time, is scientifically valid.

(2.) The Tribunal under the Motor Vehicles Act was dealing, in this case, with the claim of a person injured in an accident on July, 30th, 1978 consequent to which the claimant's right leg below the knee was amputated. At that time, the claimantrespondent was aged 35 years and was working as a technician in the Merchant Navy. In a claim for Rs. two lakhs, the Tribunal awarded Rs. one lakh. The owner of the motor vehicle which was responsible for the injury to the respondent, is the appellant before me Sri C. Sadasiya Reddi, the learned counsel for the appellant has mainly contended that the award of Rs. 97,000/towards present loss of future earnings is grossly excessive. On the other hand, Sri V. L. N. G. K. Murthy, for the respondent, has contended that the Tribunal could have passed a higher award if it had only taken into account the other allowances payable to the respondent. He also contends that the award of Rs. 3000/only towards pain and suffering etc. is grossly inadequate. Of course, there is no cross- appeal by the injured. Some argument was faintly raised by the appellant's counsel on the question of negligence but on account of the large volume of evidence in support of the finding of the Tribunal, that question does not require any fresh examination. The argument relating to present value of future earnings, however, deserves detailed consideration.

(3.) In my judgment in K. Sapana vs. Appa Rao I am refering to the various sub-heads relating to Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Losses. Again in P. Satyarrarayana vs. I. Babu Rajendra Prasad & Another I am discussing the mode of assessment of non-pecuniary damages. In this judgment of mine, I shall deal with estimation of the quantum of future losses or income.