Summary: This case involves a bus accident where a driver, employed by a school, was injured. The court decided on compensation after looking at evidence and arguments from both sides.
On June 18, 2017, Koteshwar Rao, a driver for Bharath Bala Mandhir High School, was driving a school bus when he lost control and hit a tree. This happened on the Khammam-Suryapet road. He suffered serious injuries, including fractures and a crushed foot, which led to a below-knee amputation.
Rao asked for ₹12,00,000 in compensation. He said that the accident happened while he was working, so the school and its insurance company, National Insurance Company, should pay for his injuries.
"The person making the claim had serious injuries, leading to permanent disability," the decision noted.
National Insurance argued that Rao wasn’t officially working as a driver at the time of the accident. They questioned the truth of the medical documents and said there was no proof he was employed.
The court looked over evidence, including medical records and statements from witnesses. Rao showed a certificate proving 80% disability and 100% loss of ability to earn money. The insurance policy confirmed the bus was insured, including coverage for the driver.
Justice Gadi Praveen Kumar decided in favor of Rao, granting him ₹9,26,116 plus 12% interest per year. The court found no evidence to argue against Rao’s employment or the cause of the accident.
"The court rightly gave relief for 100% disability," the court concluded.
The court rejected the appeal by National Insurance, confirming the decision to compensate Rao. This case shows how important clear evidence and documentation are in legal arguments about employment and insurance claims.
