Insurer goes to court over 5L compensation, pays 11L

Chennai: What does the right hand mean to a hairdresser? And, when a motor accident claims tribunal awards Rs 5 lakh as compensation to a hairdresser for loss of a hand, is the insurance company justified in questioning the quantum of the compensation? 

    These were the issues before the Madras HC which heard an appeal by the staterun National Insurance Company. It had moved the HC saying a compensation of Rs 5.25 lakh, awarded to a hairdresser who lost his right hand while travelling in abus, was exorbitant. 
    Taking exception to the plea, the HC enhanced the compensation to Rs 11 lakh, payable along with interest. Justice S Vimala, dismissing the petition , said, "The importance of right hand in hair cutting profession is selfexplanatory. The claimant being a hair dresser, the loss of his right hand means total isability. The injury was such that the claimant had been disabled from all work he was capable of performing."