Consumer Commission orders private hospital to compensate woman for post C-section complications

The Telangana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed a private hospital and its doctors to pay compensation to a woman who developed permanent complications following a C-section procedure.

In-charge president Meena Ramanathan and judicial member V.V. Seshu Babu were dealing with a complaint filed by Naseemunnisa and her husband Shaik Aslam against Sri Vijaya Hospitals, gynaecologist Y. Vijaya Laxmi Rao and anaesthetist Nagabhushana Rao.

According to the complaint, Naseemunnisa was admitted to the hospital in September 2014 for her fourth delivery. She alleged that she developed severe pain, numbness and immobility in her left leg after being administered spinal anaesthesia. She was discharged a few days later in the same month but continued to suffer from what was later diagnosed as “foot drop”.

The complainants contended that what happened to Naseemunnisa was on account of negligence in administering anaesthesia. They sought reimbursement of treatment expenses along with ₹40 lakh in damages.

The opposite parties rejected all allegations and denied negligence. They touched upon her history of multiple C-sections and obesity during the pregnancy. They maintained that she was discharged in a stable condition. Her complications were not linked to the procedure.

Taking all arguments and evidence placed on record, the Commission observed that the plausible explanation was that the complainant developed foot drop immediately after the surgery. It noted that “wrong administration of spinal injection caused foot drop”. The doctors had “failed” to explain the complication or record a proper diagnosis.

With these observations, the Commission directed them to pay ₹1 lakh towards medical expenses, ₹2 lakh as compensation and ₹20,000 as costs. Instructions were issued that the amount should be paid within six weeks, failing which they will carry an interest of 7% per annum.