In a recent legal development, the Indian Supreme Court heard a case involving medical malpractice that caused a patient to become hoarse. The case ultimately led to an award of Rs. 10 lakhs in compensation. The case was a sequence of events that transpired at Manipal Hospital during a surgical procedure that resulted in serious consequences because the anesthesia was administered incorrectly. The court’s ruling and the associated legal actions have shown the intricacies surrounding medical negligence and the obligations of healthcare facilities with regard to patient care.
The event in issue happened at Manipal Hospital, where a group of medical professionals operated on a patient, causing him to become voiceless. This unfavorable result was linked to carelessness in the anesthetic administration process, more precisely, incorrect Double Lumen Tube insertion. The patient, who has since passed away, requested Rs. 18 lakhs in compensation, emphasizing the seriousness of the repercussions he suffered as a result of medical blunders.
The patient’s attorneys filed a lawsuit, claiming that the hospital’s management had violated the law by giving a trainee anesthetist a crucial task that resulted in the paralysis of the left vocal cord and consequent hoarseness. The patient’s career was also affected; he said that the illness prevented him from being promoted and that he was left to stay in the same role till he passed away a few years later.
Manipal Hospital, on the other hand, defended its course of action by asserting that the District Forum had disregarded important testimony from medical professionals confirming the accuracy of its protocols. The hospital’s position was challenged by the Supreme Court, which was represented by Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah. The court emphasized that the hospital’s obligation could not be discharged by just relying on medical literature. The court stated that one of the contributing factors to the carelessness was that the Head of the Department, Anaesthesia, should have personally supervised the insertion of the double lumen tube, but instead assigned this responsibility to a trainee anesthetist.
The greater problem of medical malpractice in India’s healthcare system was also brought to light by the court processes. The severity of the issue and the requirement for accountability in medical practices are reflected in the court’s decision to enhance the compensation from Rs. 5 lakhs, as granted by the District Forum, to Rs. 10 lakhs with interest. The financial ramifications of medical malpractice are further highlighted by the court’s order for simple interest to be calculated at a rate of 10% annually.
This case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend where patients seek legal recourse for damages caused by medical negligence. The recent ruling by the Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DSCDRC) against Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and its doctors further exemplifies the legal repercussions faced by healthcare providers when standards of care are compromised. In that case, the hospital and doctors were ordered to pay Rs. 7.20 lakhs to the deceased patient’s husband, signaling a growing awareness and advocacy for patient rights and safety.
Courts are becoming more adamant about punishing patients who fail to provide proper care, which is changing the legal environment surrounding medical negligence claims. It is imperative to prioritize accountability, equitable remuneration, and strict adherence to established medical norms to guarantee that patients have the superior healthcare they are entitled to. To preserve moral principles and put patients’ needs first, healthcare organizations, professionals, and government agencies must collaborate.
SOURCE:
MDTV
