Thane: The Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a compensation of ₹8.13 lakh to a 34-year-old man who suffered severe facial disfigurement and loss of seven teeth in a road accident that took place in 2016. The man, Imran Mohammad Khan, a resident of Wagle Estate, Thane, was an auto-rickshaw driver and also worked as a side actor in television serials on a contract basis.
The tribunal observed that the disfigurement not only affected Khan’s health but also significantly impacted his career prospects, especially given his involvement in the entertainment industry.
The incident occurred on July 29, 2016, at around 3:30 p.m., when Khan was waiting at the Cosmos Jeweller Building to take a U-turn in his rickshaw after the signal turned green. At that moment, a motor van allegedly sped through the signal, ignoring the traffic light and crashing into Khan’s vehicle. He suffered grievous facial injuries in the collision.
Khan was first admitted to Thane Civil Hospital, but due to the severity of his condition, was shifted to JJ Hospital, Mumbai, and later to the Government Dental Hospital, where his facial injuries were treated. Post-discharge, Khan continued his dental treatment under Dr. Shital Joshi in Thane, who carried out the implantation of seven artificial teeth.
In its order, the MACT stated:“If a person has seven shaky teeth, he will certainly have great difficulty in intake of food and routine speech. He must have also suffered a sort of disfiguration until the implant, if any. A person of around 34 years, working in the film industry, will definitely try to implant such teeth for the betterment of his future life. Considering all these aspects…”
The tribunal took into account the impact on Khan’s appearance, career, and long-term dental needs, noting that the implanted teeth would need replacement roughly every ten years. The ₹8.13 lakh compensation includes medical expenses, future treatment costs, and loss of income due to his impaired appearance and reduced work opportunities.
