Pune: District Legal Services Authority Starts Issuing Permanent Disability Certificates to Streamline Compensation for Accident Victims
To ease the burden on road accident victims, the Pune District Legal Services Authority, in collaboration with the Motor Accident Tribunal and the Orthopedic Surgeons Society, has launched a groundbreaking initiative to issue permanent disability certificates directly at the Shivajinagar Court. This initiative aims to simplify the compensation process for victims who often face prolonged delays due to legal and procedural hurdles.
Road accidents can leave victims with life-altering injuries, leading to permanent disabilities. To claim compensation from the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), victims must present a disability certificate that outlines the extent of their disability. However, many doctors have been reluctant to issue these certificates due to the requirement of appearing in court as witnesses, causing significant delays in the compensation process.
To address this issue, a medical team examined 50 accident victims at the Pune District Court’s Ashoka Hall on Tuesday, 11th March, and issued them permanent disability certificates. The event was attended by Principal District Judge and Legal Services Authority Chairman Mahendra Mahajan, Chief Judge of the MACT Bhushan Kshirsagar, and Authority Secretary Judge Sonal Patil. A team of nine expert doctors, including Dr. Parag Sancheti, chairman of Sancheti Hospital, conducted the assessments.
Judge Mahajan highlighted that the new system eliminates the need for doctors to appear in court as witnesses, making the process more efficient. “These certificates will now serve as sufficient proof, enabling accident victims to receive their rightful compensation without unnecessary legal delays,” he said.
Over the past five years, 388 accident victims have benefited from this streamlined process. For many, the financial burden of medical expenses, often running into lakhs of rupees, is overwhelming. When the primary breadwinner suffers a disability, the entire family faces severe economic hardship. This initiative not only accelerates the compensation process but also provides much-needed relief to victims and their families.
The collaboration between the legal and medical communities marks a significant step forward in ensuring justice and support for road accident victims in Pune.
