Himachal woman accident victim's compensation raised four times

Shimla, March 24: The housewife is the backbone of a home and her disability makes her a burden on others, observed the Himachal Pradesh High Court while enhancing the compensation of a woman litigant, permanently disabled in a road accident.

"She has become permanently disabled, helpless, hapless and a burden on others," observed acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir while increasing the figure four times, from Rs.300,000, ordered by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, to Rs.12.54 lakh.

The claimant, who suffered permanent disability to the extent of 45 percent due to backbone and spinal joint dislocations, met with an accident on July 30, 2001.

The woman, 55, was riding pillion on a two-wheeler when the vehicle was hit by a private bus.

The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd would pay the enhanced compensation.

The high court, in an order made available to the media on Monday, observed that "a housewife is the backbone of a home, maintaining the domestic home and takes all steps to keep her husband, children and other family members united, in good health and joyous mood".

"She was not only deprived of the income from domestic work and selling milk, but also had to engage a helper for domestic help," said Justice Mir.

IANS