SCDRC orders Apollo Hospitals to compensate relatives of patients who died after surgery

Hospital Drawing Apollo Hospital Negligence Death

Alka Verma-

Published On: November 05, 2021 at 13:13 IST

Recently, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Gujarat ordered Apollo Hospitals to compensate Rs. 5 lakh to the relatives of a patient, who had died after surgery.

The Commission, after noting that the officials of the Hospital were not able to show any documents indicating that proper medication was given to the patient in order to reduce the infection that occurred after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Surgery, was directed to pay the compensation.

“There was a deficiency in proper duties and treatment given to the patient and ultimately the patient expired and resulted in time treatment so I would like to allow this complaint,” stated the Commission.

A Patient who had a history of back pain was taken to Apollo Hospital for further treatment, where Coronary Artery Bye-pass Grafting (CABG), took place as per the suggestions of the doctors.

In the evening, the Patient started having some problems, which was reported but no actions were taken till the next morning.

When the relatives of the patients reported a really bad condition of the patient, a second operation was performed.

However, when the Health Condition kept deteriorating, the relatives shifted the Patient to another hospital where the Patient died.

Later on, claiming that the cause of death was the negligent behavior of the staff of Apollo, the complainant approached the Consumer Court demanding Rs 15 lakh as compensation, Rs 1 lakh to his widowed wife and a refund of the entire amount spent by them at the Apollo Hospital.

However, Apollo denied all the claims saying that the patient died in another hospital.

The Hospital also stated that the patient was taken to another hospital against the will of Medical Officers.

After listening to both the sides, State Consumer Court of Gujarat stated, ” I am of the opinion that in absence of family members, postoperative hospitalization in the ward, the patient under the effect of the medicine and he was not in a position to inform to concern attending staff and if the family, relative are with him than it might possible to draw attention regarding complaint of the patient in time, moreover if the arrangement for family member not remain with patient than it is high level liabilities to observe the patient in time and that is why failure in the case.

At the end, after observing that the hospital didn’t produce any documents to show that proper medication was given to reduce infection, the Court ordered to pay the relative of the Patient  Rs. 5 lakhs within 30 days of the order.

Click Here to Read/Download the Order

Also Read: Bombay HC: Doctors not responsible for Medical Negligence if Drugs not administered due to Unavailability

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