C. K. SUBRAMONIA IYER & ORS. vs T. KUNHIKUTTAN NAIR AND 6 ORS.

The Supreme Court addressed the principles for assessing damages under Sections 1A and 2 of the Fatal Accidents Act, 1855, emphasizing that damages for wrongful death must reflect the pecuniary loss to beneficiaries and the economic loss to the estate. The Court held that there is no uniform rule for valuing human life, and damages should be based on specific facts of each case, including life expectancy. The appellate court should be cautious in altering lower court findings if all relevant facts were considered. The High Court's damage assessment was upheld as adequate given the circumstances.