‘Any woman caring for family homemaker’: Karnataka High Court hikes accident payout

The Karnataka High Court has increased the compensation payout for a woman who suffered a severe accident, ruling that any woman who acts as a homemaker is entitled to enhanced compensation. The court determined that homemaking, regardless of educational qualifications or prior professional work, should be recognized and reflected in the compensation awarded.

Justice Chillakur Sumalatha, in a ruling on August 4, vacated the previous Motor Accident Claims Tribunal award of Rs 4.55 lakh, raising it to Rs 6.52 lakh. The woman, a 25-year-old with a Master's degree in Biotechnology, had worked as a guest lecturer before the accident. She sustained serious injuries, including a comminuted fracture of the talus and a fracture of the medial malleolus, which left her with a permanent 10% disability.

The court considered her temporary inability to work as a homemaker during her recovery period and calculated additional compensation for the loss of future earnings and the impact on her ability to care for her family. The court's decision underscores the importance of recognizing homemaking as a valid form of contribution to the family, irrespective of an individual's educational background or previous employment status.