2 days ago
Delhi court orders hospital compensation over delayed cancer care
A woman with advanced cancer went to a hospital with stomach pain and a mild fever.
Tests showed signs of a serious gallbladder infection.
The commission said doctors did not act quickly enough to treat it.
Eight days later, surgery found that her gallbladder was gangrenous and had burst.
The woman later had seizures and died in hospital.
A Delhi consumer court said the hospital and two doctors were medically negligent in handling the gallbladder problem.
They were ordered to pay her husband Rs 5 lakh, including legal costs.
The court did not blame them for her cancer treatment or all of her later health problems.
A Delhi consumer court ordered a private hospital and two doctors to pay Rs 5 lakh jointly.
The commission found an eight-day delay in diagnosing and treating the patient’s acute gallbladder infection.
The patient’s gallbladder was later found to be gangrenous, perforated and affected by an abscess.
The woman had advanced breast cancer with brain metastasis and died on February 18, 2019.
Three other doctors were cleared, and the commission found no negligence in her cancer treatment.
- Who
- A private hospital and two doctors were ordered to compensate the husband of a woman who had advanced cancer.
- What
- The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, South-West Delhi, found negligence in the delayed treatment of her acute gallbladder infection.
- Where
- At a private hospital in Delhi and before the South-West Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- When
- She first visited the hospital on January 17, 2019; the order was passed on September 21, and she died on February 18, 2019.
- Why
- The commission said the eight-day delay worsened the infection, which progressed to gallbladder gangrene, perforation and an abscess.
Key facts
- Compensation
- Rs 5 lakh, including litigation costs
- Responsible parties
- The hospital and two treating doctors
- Initial hospital visit
- January 17, 2019
- Surgery
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy on January 25, 2019
- Gallbladder findings
- Gangrene, perforation, dense adhesions and an abscess
- Death
- February 18, 2019, due to cardio-pulmonary arrest
- Interest for nonpayment
- 6% annually from December 23, 2019, if the amount is not paid as ordered
Quotes
District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, South-West Delhi
The Delhi consumer commission that adjudicated the patient’s complaint
“This inordinate delay in diagnosing the acute cholecystitis and managing it properly led to worsening of the condition”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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