Thane: Nearly a decade after a one-year-old girl suffered grievous injuries in a road accident in Digha, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane awarded compensation of Rs 25.2 lakh with 9% annual interest from the date of filing of the petition until realisation.The tribunal, presided over by Member RV Mohite, held the car owner and the insurer jointly and severally liable to pay the compensation within a month. The amount is to be deposited in the tribunal’s bank account and invested in a fixed deposit in the minor’s name until she attains majority.According to the order, the accident occurred on Feb 16, 2016, around 4 pm, when the child was playing outside her residence at Annabhau Sathe Chawl in Ishwar Nagar, Digha. A car allegedly reversed at speed without blowing the horn and knocked her down, causing serious injuries. She was first taken to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa and later shifted to KEM Hospital in Parel for specialised treatment.The tribunal noted that an FIR was registered by Rabale MIDC police under relevant IPC provisions and the Motor Vehicles Act, and a charge sheet was filed against the driver. It observed that neither the driver nor the insurer could establish contributory negligence or breach of policy conditions. Medical records placed before the court showed that the child underwent multiple hospitalisations and was assessed with 61% permanent physical impairment. However, after evaluating the evidence, the tribunal assessed her functional disability at 50%. The award includes amounts towards loss of future income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, special diet, conveyance, attendant charges, loss of marriage prospects, loss of mother’s income, and future medical expenses.
