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Hospital, Doctor Negligent in Woman's Death
29 Jun
Summary
- Doctor and hospital found negligent in post-surgery death.
- Compensation of over Rs 19 lakh awarded to husband.
- Fatal complications were not recognized and treated promptly.
A Hyderabad hospital and its consulting gynecologist have been ordered to pay over Rs 19 lakh in compensation following a woman's death from post-surgery complications. The Telangana State Consumer Commission determined that medical negligence occurred during the treatment of the 37-year-old patient in March 2016.
The commission cited a failure to recognize and repair an injury during surgery and a delay in diagnosing post-operative symptoms as the primary causes of death. The patient developed severe abdominal pain and breathing difficulties within 24 hours of a hysterectomy, leading to a rapid deterioration. Despite being transferred to another hospital, she died on March 23, 2016.
The hospital and doctor denied negligence, arguing that known risks were explained and that the patient was stable when referred. However, the commission found inconsistencies, noting that a significant accumulation of fluid post-surgery should have alerted the doctor to potential serious complications like bowel injury or infection.
The commission awarded Rs 19.8 lakh in compensation, calculating damages based on the deceased being a homemaker with a notional income, plus medical expenses. This ruling emphasizes the critical importance of post-operative care and timely intervention.
