Home / Crime and Justice / 90-Year-Old's Fall Deemed Accidental, Not Negligence
90-Year-Old's Fall Deemed Accidental, Not Negligence
29 Apr
Summary
- Consumer commission ruled a 90-year-old's fall was accidental.
- Hospital faced a Rs 2.42 crore compensation claim for negligence.
- No evidence found to prove hospital's deficiency in service.
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has dismissed a significant medical negligence complaint, rejecting a claim for over Rs 2.42 crore in compensation against Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad. The commission determined that a 90-year-old patient's fall from a hospital bed in April 2017 was an "accidental" event.
This ruling came after a complaint filed in 2018 by the patient, J N Mehra, who passed away in 2023 and whose daughter pursued the case. The complaint alleged negligence and deficiency in service after the patient fell on April 5, 2017, sustaining a head laceration. The family sought substantial compensation, citing a lack of round-the-clock care.
Apollo Hospital denied negligence, stating the patient attempted to leave the bed independently. They highlighted that safety measures were in place and immediate medical attention was provided post-fall. The hospital argued that any subsequent health deterioration was due to the patient's age and pre-existing conditions.
The NCDRC found no evidence of hospital staff negligence, concluding that the fall occurred when the patient tried to get up unassisted. The commission stressed that an accidental fall does not automatically equate to negligence by the healthcare provider. Consequently, the complaint was dismissed, lacking sufficient proof of a causal link to the patient's later health issues or death.
