Hyderabad hospital slapped Rs 15 lakh compensation for medical negligence
Medical Negligence
Hyderabad: The Rangareddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed a private hospital in Hyderabad to pay Rs 15 lakh as compensation for medical negligence.
In its order, the Commission also asked the Hospital to refund Rs 2.28 lakh with nine per cent interest, along with Rs 30,000 for the cost of litigation.
The case dates back to 2024, when a patient was admitted to hospitals in Banjara Hills with complaints of weakness. Initial clinical evaluation and investigations revealed low haemoglobin levels, following which the treating team advised blood transfusion as part of the management plan. Over the course of two days, the patient was administered blood transfusions.
According to Siasat report, the patient’s family later raised concerns regarding discrepancies in medical documentation, stating that while two units of blood were reportedly transfused, the discharge summary reflected only one unit. The family also alleged that the hospital was unable to control the patient’s diarrhoea during hospitalisation.
Four days into admission, the patient reportedly suffered a heart attack. The family alleged a delay in initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and stated that he was shifted to the intensive care unit after his condition worsened. They further claimed that the patient was falsely diagnosed with a liver infection and an additional amount of Rs 1.5 lakh was demanded for further treatment.
The patient clinical condition continued to deteriorate, following which he was shifted to another hospital and later to another private healthcare facility. Despite these interventions, he succumbed on August 16, 2024.
The hospital, however, denied the allegations and maintained that the patient had a history of alcoholism with underlying liver disease. It stated that CPR was administered after the patient was moved to the ICU and that appropriate care was provided.
The Siasat Daily further reported that after examining the medical records and hearing submissions from both sides, the Ranga Reddy District Consumer Disputes directed the hospital to pay the amount to the decesed’s family. In addition, the hospital was directed to refund ₹2.28 lakh collected towards treatment expenses, along with nine per cent annual interest, and to pay ₹30,000 towards litigation costs.
