INTRODUCTION:
With an awareness of considerable inconsistencies in disability and injury estimations of victims of motor accidents, the High Court has instructed Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) members to undergo special training. The court noted shortcomings in medical examination resulting in inequitable determinations of compensation, prejudicing victims of accidents. The action seeks to ensure higher precision, consistency, and fairness in compensations awarded.
BACKGROUND:
Long-standing problems in MACT Compensation and Medical Evidence Interpretation.The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) is responsible for granting equitable compensation to road accident victims. Compensation is determined by the degree of injuries and permanent disabilities incurred by victims. Yet, in recent instances, courts have realized vast disparities in disability evaluations because of the Inconsistent medical opinions presented prior to MACT.Absence of expertise among members of the tribunal in reading medical reports.Dependence on boilerplate medical certificates that do not establish comprehensive disability analysis.Disparities in awards of compensation, with comparable injuries receiving starkly different sums of compensation.The High Court recognized these deficiencies after several appeals where victims challenged their low compensation, alleging medical evaluation and judicial adjudication errors.
KEY POINTS:
Major Findings and Issues Roused by the High Court.
Shortcomings in Medical Reports: The High Court observed that medical reports filed in cases of accidents are usually imprecise, inaccurate, and devoid of correct disability assessment, resulting in wrong compensation awards.
Insufficiency of Training to MACT Members: The court pointed out that members of tribunals are not adequately knowledgeable in medicine to interpret the gravity of injuries and long-term disabilities correctly.
Need for Standardized Guidelines: The court highlighted the fact that the lack of universal medico-legal standards leads to inequalities in compensation awards between tribunals.
Over-Reliance on General Medical Certificates: Most compensation claims depend on routine medical documents that do not clearly specify the functional effect of disabilities, causing defective decisions.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
Directives of High Court to Enhance the MACT Compensation ProcessAs a reaction to these issues, the High Court has given significant directives to enhance the MACT process. Compulsory Training for MACT Members: The court directed that judges and adjudicators receive special medico-legal training in order to better evaluate injury reports and disability claims. Coordination with Medical and Forensic Experts: MACTs will now be in close coordination with qualified medical experts to assess disabilities correctly and avoid misinterpretations. Review and Implementation of Standardized Guidelines: The court directed authorities to develop precise and uniform standards for assessing permanent disabilities and determining the amount of compensation. Improving Medical Documentation Requirements: The court suggested better-quality medical reports, including functional impairment and their lasting effect on the livelihood of the victims
CONCLUSION
Protection of Road Accident Victims’ Rights against Unfair Treatment.The High Court’s move towards ensuring road accident victims receive appropriate compensation on just and accurate assessments is a significant step. While resolving differences over injury and disability assessment, the court seeks to enhance consistency, transparency, and efficiency in awarding MACT compensation. Reforms will defend victims’ rights, encourage good legal-medical coordination, and restore public confidence in motor accident claim adjudications.
“PRIME LEGAL is a full-service law firm that has won a National Award and has more than 20 years of experience in an array of sectors and practice areas. Prime legal falls into the category of best law firm, best lawyer, best family lawyer, best divorce lawyer, best divorce law firm, best criminal lawyer, best criminal law firm, best consumer lawyer, best civil lawyer.”
WRITTEN BY: SUBRAT ASHISH KHARE
