Hospital Fined 8.38 Lakhs for Medical Negligence in Chennai

A decade and a half after a hip surgery bungle at Bharati Raja Hospital in Chennai, it has been ordered by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum to pay the patient Rs. 8.38 lakhs. Davig Tyagraj, a lawyer involved in a road accident in 2000, was admitted at Bharati Raja Hospital in Chennai. The doctor, alleged to be negligent, conducted a hip surgery using poor quality plates, leading to delayed treatment, and also undertaking the procedure without appropriate knowledge. The patient ended up suffering from permanent disability. Allegations were also charged against the hospital for having poor infrastructure, leading to referral of the patient to another hospital for a CT scan. Dr. Nahappa, the accused doctor, claimed that the patient was under observation for two days with the surgery performed on the third day, claiming that complete surgery could not have occurred immediately. He also recommended that the patient consult another doctor, who suggested total hip replacement, but no clarification was given on why he was referred or asked to go to another facility. He further claimed the patient did not follow up with the post operation regime suggested. Finding the doctors submissions to be erroneous, the court found him guilty of multiple counts of negligence, leading to a Rs. 1 lakh fine to the hospital, on top of Rs. 6.18 lakh for medical expenses, on top of another lakh for loss of income and litigation fees of Rs. 20,000.