Married Daughters Though not Financially Dependent Can Claim Compensation for Loss of Consortium

Himachal Pradesh High Court clarified that under the Motor Vehicles Act, only financially dependent legal heirs can claim compensation for loss of income.

After confirming the deceased's correct age as 55, the Court reduced the award by applying a multiplier of 11 instead of 13. 

The Court upheld that married daughters, though not financially dependent on their deceased father, were entitled to ₹40,000 each for loss of consortium, recognising emotional and personal loss.

Accordingly, the High Court modified the compensation, based on the deceased's correct age of 55 years, and awarded the wife and son a compensation of 13,28,220 for loss of financial dependency, along with 40,000/- each for loss of consortium.