Want to be a
Soolegal Member
Compensation under Motor Vehicles Act 1988 for Loss of Foetus in motor accident
KERALA HIGH COURT(Full Bench)

Abhulasees
Versus
Abdumanaf
[M.A.C.A. No. 2027 of 2011, decided on 22nd March, 2017]

    (i) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 166-Compensation - Loss of baby- Foetus as a child - Pregnancy advanced by eight months- Foetus attaining full viability - Parents/Claimants/appellants entitled to compensation for loss of baby treating foetus as child - Held, in all cases where pregnancy has advance beyonnd "six months" and if any miscarriage occurs because of road traffic accident, it is open to claim compensation in respect of loss of baby, treating the foetus as viable child, apart from compensation payable under other appropriate heads.

(ii) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 166 - Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Section 2(1) - Compensation - Loss of foetus- Legal representatives- Maintainability of Claim petition- Claim petition filed by husband and wife- Held, claimants (husband and wife) who filed claim petition in respect of "loss of foetus" could be deemed as legal representatives of foetus, treating "foetus" as a "child" to award compensation under the statute. 

   (iii) Motor Vehicles, Act, 1988, Section 166 - Quantum of compensation - Foetus/still born child- Could be equated a a living child - Quantum of damages fixed could be ordered to be given to husband and wife - In case of demise of children up-to 5 years a minimum compensation of 1 lac has to be paid - Claimants entitled to get above minimum compensation of 1 lac for loss of foetus Tribunal awarded 50,000/- Balance compensation comes to Rs. 50,000/- Interest awarded at 9% p.a.
Active Members view all