Karnataka High Court Boosts Compensation for Injured IT Couple by Nearly Eight Times

A Karnataka high court has significantly increased the compensation for an IT couple who were severely injured in a truck accident in 2012. The couple, Mahantharaj and Vinutha, were returning from Chitradurga to Bengaluru when their car was slammed by a truck in Nelamangala. They suffered multiple fractures and underwent surgeries.

Mahantharaj, an engineer at IBM with a monthly salary of Rs 80,000, had his right forearm and right hip severely injured. He required surgery involving the insertion of a rod, plate, and screws on his hand, which would hamper his ability to perform his work, especially promotional opportunities.

The tribunal initially awarded them Rs 5.88 lakh and Rs 2.9 lakh respectively, but the high court increased their compensation to Rs 47.8 lakh for Mahantharaj and Rs 5.22 lakh for Vinutha. The court also awarded Rs 43 lakh towards loss of future income due to disability.