Judge Awards Rs 10 Lakh Compensation To Family Of Man Dead In Crane Mishap

Though it was a case to be decided by some other forum under the Workmen Compensation Act, Madras High Court decided to awarded the compensation.

In a relief to the family members of a crane accident victim, the Madras High Court has taken up their case and awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh, taking into consideration the illiteracy of the claimants, lack of support, efflux of time and the death of the main claimants during the pendency of the case.

Though it was a case to be decided by some other forum under the Workmen Compensation Act, the Court has entertained the same and awarded the compensation.

M Kamalakannan, a Clearing Assistant in a private company, died in July 2014 when the crane, belonging to some other company fell on him at the container terminal premises. The accident was caused due to the rash and negligent handling and driving of the vehicle or crane owned by the other company. The victim was then drawing a salary of Rs 20,000 per month.

The judge, in his October 6 order, noted that the first petitioner, the wife of the man, was illiterate. Her two children were minors at that point of time. The other petitioners were the parents of the man, aged over 70 years. Under these circumstances, the petitioners were not aware of the illegal implications regarding the entertainability of the writ proceedings under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the judge said.