The Karnataka State consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered hospital and two of its doctors to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to a patient for leaving a 3.2 cm surgical needle in her body post surgery nearly 20 years ago.
The hospital identified as Deepak and the two doctors to pay Padmavathi a resident of Jayanagar, Rs 50,000 for litigation expenses. On the other hand, New India Assurance Co., Ltd, which covered the hospital expenses, was ordered to pay her Rs 5 lakh for “professional and medical negligence.”
In 2004, the then 32-year-old Padmavathi underwent hernia surgery at Deepak Hospital, where her appendix was also removed. The day after surgery, she experienced severe pain. Despite repeated complaints of acute stomach and back pain, she received only painkillers.
In 2010, Padmavathi visited another hospital and during the scan revealed a foreign object in her abdomen and back. She again underwent surgery to remove the 3.2 cm surgical needle and subsequently filed a complaint with the consumer forum.
The forum acknowledged the severe pain and inconvenience suffered by Padmavathi due to the negligence.