3 weeks ago
NCDRC raises Bengaluru acid attack compensation to Rs 17.21 lakh
A long time ago, in 2007, a man named Ramanathan was badly hurt at a hospital in Bengaluru when acid was poured on him.
Acid is a dangerous liquid that can burn and damage skin.
He had to go through almost 12 surgeries because of his injuries.
A hospital certificate said that his body was 75 percent permanently damaged.
But earlier, a lower court decided his damage was only 50 percent.
Because of that, he was given less money at first.
The top consumer court in the country looked at his certificate and agreed that the damage was 75 percent.
So the court decided he should get more money, about 17 lakh rupees.
That money will help pay for his medical care and for the pain he suffered.
The court made this decision in August.
The NCDRC raised the compensation in a 2007 Bengaluru acid attack case from Rs 13.19 lakh to Rs 17.21 lakh.
The increase was ordered after the commission accepted the 75% permanent disability certificate over the state commission's 50% assessment.
Ramanathan M was allegedly attacked by a staff nurse with acid at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru on May 4, 2007.
He underwent nearly 12 surgeries and was treated at St John's Medical College and Hospital.
PNB MetLife's 2018 revision petition against the earlier award remains pending and is unaffected by the August 7 order.
- Who
- Ramanathan M, a pharmacist at Manipal Hospital, and an NCDRC bench of Justice Sudip Ahluwalia and Dr Sadhna Shanker; the respondents were PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Ltd and Manipal Hospital.
- What
- The NCDRC raised Ramanathan's compensation in the 2007 acid attack case from Rs 13.19 lakh to Rs 17.21 lakh after accepting his 75% disability certificate.
- Where
- Bengaluru, India, involving Manipal Hospital, St John's Medical College and Hospital, and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- When
- The NCDRC order was passed on August 7; the acid attack incident occurred on May 4, 2007.
- Why
- The Karnataka State Commission had assessed his disability at 50% despite a disability certificate certifying permanent disability at 75%, leading to an inadequate award.
Complainant's stance
Insurer and state commission stance
Disability assessment
Complainant's stance
Ramanathan argued his permanent disability was 75% as certified by St John's Medical College and Hospital, and the state commission wrongly assessed it at 50% despite the certificate.
Insurer and state commission stance
The Karnataka State Commission assessed his functional disability at 50%, and PNB MetLife filed a 2018 revision petition challenging the award, which is still pending.
Compensation amount
Complainant's stance
Ramanathan sought about Rs 64 lakh for medical expenses, disability, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering and other damages, and argued the award inadequately accounted for future treatment and reconstructive surgeries.
Insurer and state commission stance
The commission determined a total entitlement of Rs 17.21 lakh, and noted that the insurers' liability would be governed by their group policy terms, with Manipal Hospital already bearing about Rs 1.5 lakh in treatment costs on humanitarian grounds.
Key facts
- Compensation raised to
- Rs 17,21,865
- Earlier award
- Rs 13,19,577
- Disability per certificate
- 75% permanent disability
- State commission assessment
- 50% functional disability
- Incident date
- May 4, 2007
- Surgeries undergone
- Nearly 12
- Order date
- August 7, 2026
- Respondents
- PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Ltd and Manipal Hospital
Quotes
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)
Commission ruling on Ramanathan’s compensation claim
“The Revision Petition is accordingly allowed,”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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