1 week ago
Calcutta High Court Awards Rs 5 Lakh for Surgical Blindness
A man had cataract surgery at a government hospital and later lost part of his eyesight.
He said the problem may have been caused by contamination or improperly sterilized equipment.
The Calcutta High Court considered how this injury affected his life.
The judges said losing eyesight harmed his health, dignity, income, and future opportunities.
They also said the government was responsible for what happened at its hospital.
The court cancelled an earlier decision that sent the man to another forum.
It then awarded him Rs 5 lakh in compensation.
The ruling was issued by a division bench of the court on September 2.
The Calcutta High Court awarded Rs 5 lakh to a man who suffered partial blindness after cataract surgery.
The surgery took place at a government hospital, whose actions made the state government vicariously liable.
The court said the loss of eyesight caused serious financial loss and harmed the man’s future prospects.
The complications were alleged to involve contamination, microorganisms, surgical solutions, or faulty instrument sterilization.
A division bench set aside an earlier order directing the patient to seek compensation before another forum.
- Who
- A man who suffered partial blindness after cataract surgery; the state government was held liable for the government hospital’s actions.
- What
- The Calcutta High Court awarded Rs 5 lakh in compensation and set aside an earlier order sending the patient to another forum.
- Where
- The surgery was performed at a government hospital, and the case was decided by the Calcutta High Court.
- When
- The court’s order was dated September 2; the year was not specified.
- Why
- The court found that the loss of eyesight seriously affected the man’s quality of life, finances, and future prospects, and held the state vicariously liable.
Key facts
- Compensation
- Rs 5 lakh
- Medical procedure
- Cataract surgery
- Injury
- Partial blindness and loss of eyesight
- Hospital type
- Government hospital
- Court
- Calcutta High Court
- Bench
- Justices Shampa Sarkar and Arjun Ray Mukherjee
- Possible complications alleged
- Contamination, microorganisms, contaminated solutions, or faulty sterilization of instruments
Quotes
Calcutta High Court division bench
Division bench of Justices Shampa Sarkar and Arjun Ray Mukherjee
“Right to life and livelihood includes right to live with dignity and enjoy good health. Good quality of life is embedded in right to life. Loss of eye sight has affected the quality of the life of the appellant. The State has a vicarious liability for the actions of the hospital”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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