"The respondents (Dr Atluri Ravindranath and another) were undoubtedly guilty of medical negligence because during the course of a Caesarean operation, they caused injury to the urinary bladder leading to multiple complications and death which was totally avoidable, had due care been taken as Caesarean sections are fairly common procedures..," said the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
"We are of the view that since three young children have been rendered motherless, two of them at infancy, in the interest of securing their future, there is a case for enhancing the compensation. We, therefore, direct that the compensation of Rs one lakh given to each of the three minor appellants be enhanced by Rs 50,000 each," said the NCDRC bench, presided by Justice Ashok Bhan.
The bench raised the compensation over that of Rs 4 lakh, awarded by the State Consumer Commission at the rate of Rs one lakh to each of the children and the husband.
The NCDRC's order came on cross-appeals with victim's husband Jangamgunta Balasubramnium and her minor children seeking enhancement of compensation and the doctors seeking annulment of the state commission's order, which had held them guilty of medical negligence and had asked them to pay up. (More)