P&H High Court Upholds ₹19.6 Lakh MACT Award, Rejects Insurer’s Challenge On Income Assessment

The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed an appeal filed by an insurance company challenging the quantum of compensation awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The Court held that the driving licence of the deceased, which authorised him to drive heavy and medium goods vehicles, was sufficient to treat him as a skilled heavy vehicle driver.

It found no error in the Tribunal’s reliance on district-level wage notifications to assess the deceased’s income and reiterated that appellate interference is justified only in cases of perversity or illegality.

Relying on Supreme Court precedent, the Court upheld the MACT award of ₹19.60 lakh with interest, observing that no material irregularity was shown by the insurer.

[National Insurance Co. Ltd v. Vimal Kaur & Ors.]