NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION
K.S. Chaudhari, Presiding Member
DR. MRS. SUNISHA HENRY - Appellant
Vs.
RAM KUSHAL DUBEY - Respondent
Revision Petition No. 2097 of 2008 (Against The Order Dated 15.02.2008. In Appeal No. 181 Of 2007 of The State Commission Chhattisgarh)
Decided On : 22-04-2016
Medical Negligence - Cataract Operation - [Dr. (Mrs.) Sunisha Henry v. Ram Kushal Dubey and Ors.] - [Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, Section 5] - The court discussed the provisions related to medical negligence and the standard of care expected from medical practitioners. It highlighted the requirement for informed consent and the duty to advise patients about the risks of surgery. The court also considered the qualifications and responsibilities of the medical personnel involved in the procedure. The judgment emphasized the need to establish negligence based on the specific allegations and evidence presented.
Fact of the Case:
The complainant, a retired Deputy Collector, suffered severe vision loss and complications after a cataract operation performed by the respondents. The District Forum allowed the complaint against one respondent and dismissed it against others. The State Commission dismissed appeals, leading to the filing of this revision petition.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the State Commission erred in dismissing the appeal based on grounds not pleaded in the complaint. It also noted discrepancies in attributing deficiencies to the respondents and highlighted the lack of negligence on the part of the ophthalmologist.
Issues: The issues revolved around the alleged medical negligence, responsibility of the medical personnel, and the adequacy of the informed consent provided to the complainant.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the importance of establishing negligence based on specific allegations and evidence presented in the complaint. It also highlighted the duty of medical practitioners to provide informed consent and advise patients about the risks of surgery.
Final Decision: The revision petition was allowed, and the impugned orders were set aside, leading to the dismissal of the complaint with no order as to costs.
ORDER :
K.S. Chaudhari, Presiding Member—This revision petition has been filed by petitioner against order dated 15.2.2008 passed by State Commission in Appeal Nos. 181 of 2007 and 213 of 2007- Dr. (Mrs.) Sunisha Henry v. Ram Kushal Dubey and Ors.; by which appeal was dismissed.
Brief facts of the case are that complainant/respondent- Ram Kushal Dubey, who was retired Deputy Collector and presently practicing as an Advocate, approached opposite party No. 1/petitioner for cataract operation. Opposite Party No. 1 provide services for ailments of eye along with the help of opposite party No. 2 and opposite party No. 3/respondent No. 2 and 3. On 23.1.2005, OP-2 after check-up directed OP-3 to inject anaesthesia in the eye. As soon as the anesthesia was injected by the OP-3, complainant developed severe pain in the eye and lost vision of his left eye. OP-1 was called and after examining the complainant it was told that there was no vision and high tension has developed and retina was displaced. The surgery was not performed and some medicines and bandage were provided. OPs despite knowing full well that the vision was completely lost falsely assured that the vision will be restored after the bandage is opened. Bandages were opened by the OP-1 after two days and after examination of the eye and consulting the OP-2 telephonically, referred the complainant to Apollo Hospital Bilaspur. OP-1's hospital is not equipped to handle and provide suitable care for such complications. On approaching the Apollo Hospital complainant was told that the retina is displaced and there were only remote chances of restoration of vision that too after expensive operations. On seeing the reports of the Apollo Hospital and consulting the OP-2 again, OP-1 referred the complainant to MGM Eye Institute, Raipur. Despite expensive treatment in the MGM eye Institute, the eye sight of the complainant is completely lost. Alleging deficiency on the part of opposite parties, complainant filed complaint before District Forum. Opposite Party No. 1 resisted complaint and submitted that OP-1 is a practicing Ophthalmologist and obtains specialised services of OP-2 for surgery through PHACO machine and OP-3 is trained Ophthalmic Assistant with 20 years' experience. Complainant was having multiple progressive eye problem for which he was operated 10 years back. On 23.1.2005, complainant was given local anesthesia and was shifted to operation theatre but rise in infra ocular pressure was detected, so, operation was postponed to avoid complications. It was, further, pleaded that OP-3-Hospital is equipped with all basic facilities for administration of anesthesia. Complainant was suffering from Glaucoma and his eye had lost 70-80% of vision even prior to surgery and denying any deficiency on her part, prayed for dismissal of complainant. OP No. 2 and 3 also denied any deficiency on their part and OP-3 specifically pleaded that injection for anesthesia was administered by OP-1 and prayed for dismissal of complaint. Learned District Forum after hearing both the parties, allowed complaint against OP-1 and directed him to pay Rs. 1,50,000/- as compensation, Rs. 20,000/- as other expenses and Rs. 5,000/- as cost of litigation and dismissed complaint against OP-2 and 3. Complainant and OP-1 preferred appeals before State Commission and Learned State Commission vide impugned order, dismissed both appeals against which this revision petition has been filed by the petitioner.
During the course of proceedings, respondent No. 1 died and his LRs were taken on record.
None appeared for LRs of respondent No. 1 and Respondent No. 2 and 3 in spite of service of notice and they were proceeded ex parte.
2. Heard Learned Counsel for the petitioner and perused record.
Learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that Learned State Commission has committed error in dismissing appeal on flimsy grounds contrary to record, hence, revision petition be allowed and impugned order be set aside.
Learned State C
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