The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane, Maharashtra, has awarded a compensation of Rs 42.64 lakh to Vijay Devaji Baraskar, a 45-year-old man who was severely injured in a road accident in 2020. The incident occurred when a bus operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking struck him while he was standing under a bridge near the Kashimira police station.
The tribunal’s decision came after careful examination of the case presented by Baraskar’s lawyer, Sachin L Mane, who detailed the severe injuries and the resultant 60% permanent partial disability his client sustained from the accident. Baraskar, who was employed in the sales department of a private company earning Rs 20,680 per month at the time of the accident, has undergone continuous medical treatment and surgeries since the incident.
In his claim, Baraskar sought Rs 60.5 lakh in compensation, accounting for loss of income, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. However, BEST officials contested these claims, suggesting the bus driver was driving at a slow speed and that Baraskar was crossing the road carelessly while using a mobile phone.
The tribunal, led by MACT member S N Shah, ruled in favor of Baraskar on August 28, with the order being made public on the following Sunday. It was determined that the permanent disability incurred by Baraskar would significantly impact his future earning capacity.
The awarded compensation of Rs 42.64 lakh covers future loss of income, medical costs, and pain and suffering, among other expenses. The tribunal also mandated the BEST Undertaking to deposit the full amount along with an interest rate of 8% per annum within one month. Failure to meet this deadline will result in an increased interest rate of 8.5%.
