Delhi tribunal awards Rs 56.87 lakh to disabled security guard

A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded Rs 56.87 lakh to Dinesh Kumar, a 26-year-old security guard who suffered 75 per cent permanent disability in his left arm after his motorcycle hit a bus door that was negligently opened by its driver in October 2022. The tribunal, in its August 4 order, held the bus driver solely responsible and rejected arguments of contributory negligence, noting the bus was improperly parked and the driver did not check traffic before opening the battery cover door.

Presiding Officer Abhilash Malhotra said no amount of money could erase the victim's trauma but compensation could alleviate his suffering. The tribunal directed M/s Go Digit General Insurance Company to pay the amount under heads including loss of future income, medical expenses, physiotherapy, pain and suffering, and loss of marriage prospects. Hindustan Times and Times of India both reported the story, with Times of India separately covering a Karnataka high court order that increased compensation for an injured IT couple from Rs 8.7 lakh to over Rs 53 lakh.