Claim from insurance firm and employer not double compensation: HC

The Madras High Court Wednesday made it clear that claiming compensation against the insurance company for an accident and also from the employer under the Workers Compensation Act did not amount to double compensation.

Justice MV Muralidharan made the observation while dismissing two appeals from the National Insurance Company Limited, Tiruchengode, against the award of compensation by Commissioner for Employees Compensation at Coonoor, in two accident cases.

Referring to various Supreme Court judgements, he said "awarding of compensation to claimants is only for the sake of giving solace to the claimants who lost their breadwinner due to the accident.

"If their tears are not wiped off by the courts of law, there will be little meaning in awarding compensation," he added.

The case relates to the death of two people, both drivers, in an accident in June 2014.

The legal heirs of the victims filed two different claim petitions before the Commissioner for Employees Compensation at ...