Supreme Court rules on accident compensation case involving delayed death causation.
SC DISMISSES APPEAL IN INSURANCE DEATH COMPENSATION CASE
CASE SUMMARY – In Haseena & Ors. vs. United India Insurance Co. Ltd. (Civil Appeal No. 6621 of 2025), the Supreme Court examined whether the death of an Excise Guard, five months after a motorcycle accident, was directly caused by accident-related injuries. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal ruled in favor of the claimants, but the High Court overturned the decision, citing insufficient medical proof. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s reasoning, noting the absence of postmortem and the victim’s pre-existing conditions. While acknowledging the accident injuries, the Court rejected the claim for death compensation and dismissed the appeal.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Haseena & Ors. vs. The United India Insurance Co. Ltd. & Anr. |
| Introduction | The case involves compensation claims arising out of a motor accident where the deceased, an Excise Guard, died months after sustaining injuries in a collision. |
| Factual Background | Accident occurred on 29.04.2006 between two motorcycles. Victim sustained fractures and wounds, treated initially, later developed non-healing ulcer requiring surgery. On 18.09.2006, during post-surgery recovery, he died due to pulmonary embolism/acute myocardial infarction. |
| Legal Issues | Whether the death of the victim, occurring nearly five months after the accident, had a direct causal nexus with the accident injuries. |
| Applicable Law | Motor Vehicles Act – Compensation under Motor Accident Claims Tribunal; evidentiary standards on causation. |
| Analysis | Tribunal held accident caused death. High Court overturned, citing lack of medical certainty. Supreme Court upheld High Court, holding no direct nexus proven between accident injuries and death. |
| Conclusion | Supreme Court dismissed appeal, denying compensation for death but recognizing compensation for accident injuries. |
| Current Scenario | Judgment delivered on 04.09.2025; claimants denied enhanced compensation for death. High Court decision sustained. |
“Mere proximity of accident and death cannot establish causation without clear medical evidence.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
READ ALSO – SC ENHANCES COMPENSATION IN ANOOP MAHESHWARI MOTOR ACCIDENT CASE
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