PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

“Professionaliandimedicalinegligence”

Submittediby:

DivyaiRaunak,iB.A.iL.L.Bi (Hons.)

Submittedito:

Ms.iSNEHAiSHARMA

FACULTYiOFiTORT

“Thisifinalidraftiisisubmittediinicompleteifulfillmentiofitheitopici“p
rofessionaliandimedicalinegligence”

9thiAugusti2019

ChanakyaiNationaliLawiUniversity,iPatnai

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .............................................................................................................. 4
DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ 5
1. iINTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 6
2. iRESEARCHi METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................... 7
2.1 MethodiofiResearch ......................................................................................................... 7
2.2 AimsiandiObjectives ........................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Hypothesis: ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.4 Limitation: ........................................................................................................................ 7
3. ConceptiofiConsumeriProtectioniAct,1986 ............................................................................ 8
3.1 CONSUMER.................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 COMPLAINT................................................................................................................... 8
3.3 PLACEiOFiFILINGiOFiCOMPLAINT. ......................................................................... 8
3.4 Provision for appeal ......................................................................................................... 8
3.5 POWERSiOFiCONSUMERiREDRESSALiFORUMS. ................................................. 9
3.6 ADJUDICATIONiOFiLIABILITY. ................................................................................ 9
4. iMedicaliNegligence. ............................................................................................................ 10
4.1.1 Whenidoesiaidutyiarise? ......................................................................................... 10
4.1.2 Whatiisitheidutyiowed? .......................................................................................... 10
4.1.3 Whenidoesitheiliabilityiarise?................................................................................. 12
4.1.4 Whenithereiisinoiliability ....................................................................................... 13
4.1.5 JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION OF MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE LIABILITY ... 14
4.1.6 Charge of Medical Negligence against Professional Doctors................................. 14
4.1.7 What Constitutes Medical Negligence? .................................................................. 15
4.1.8 What is the Standard of Care? ................................................................................ 15
4.1.9 Proof of Medical Negligence .................................................................................. 16
4.1.10 The Need for Expert Evidence in Medical Negligence Cases ................................ 18
4.2 CHAPTERi4.1 BOLAM TEST ..................................................................................... 21
5. Landmark cases related to medical negligence. .................................................................... 22
5.1 Jacob Mathew vs State of Punjab ................................................................................... 22
5.2 Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha and others ................................................ 22

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
5.3 Juggankhan vs state of Madhya Pradesh ........................................................................ 23
5.4 Joint Director of Health Services, Shivgangal V. Sonal ................................................ 23

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

IiwouldilikeitoithankimyifacultyiMrsiSnehaiMishra,iwhoseiassignmentiofisuchiairelevantitopici
madeimeiworkitowardsiknowingitheisubjectiwithiaigreateriinterestiandienthusiasmiandimoreove
risheiguidedimeithroughoutitheiproject.

Iioweitheipresentiaccomplishmentiofimyiprojectitoimyifriends,iwhoihelpedimeiimmenselyiwithi
sourcesiofiresearchimaterialsithroughoutitheiprojectiandiwithoutiwhomiIicouldn’tihaveicomplet
ediitiinitheipresentiway.

Iiwouldialsoilikeitoiextendimyigratitudeitoimyiparentsiandiallithoseiunseenihandsiwhoihelpedim
eioutiatieveryistageiofimyiproject.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiTHANKiYOU!
NAME- DIVYAiRAUNAK
i1STiSemester(ba.llb)

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

2. DECLARATION
IiherebyideclareithatitheiworkireportediinitheiB.A.LL.Bi(Hons.)iProjectiReportientitledi“MEDI
CALiANDiPROFESSIONALiNEGLIGENCE”isubmittediatiCHANAKYAiNATIONALiLA
WiUNIVERSITY,iPATNAiisianiauthenticirecordiofimyiworkicarriediunderitheisupervisioniofi
MrsiSnehaiSharma.iIihaveinotisubmittedithisiworkielsewhereiforianyiotheridegreeioridiploma.iI
iamifullyiresponsibleiforitheicontentsiofimyiprojectireport.

DIVYAiRAUNAK
CHANAKYAiNATIONALiLAWiUNIVERSITY,iPATNA
26/08/19

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

3. INTRODUCTION
Professionalinegligenceiisiaibreachiofitheidutyioficareibetweeniprofessionalsianditheiriclients.iTheidut
yioficareiisiaicommonilawiarrangementiwhereitheiclientiexpectsiaileveliofiprofessionalismiandistandards
icommonlyiheldibyithoseiinitheiprofession.iiBut,ibyivirtueiofitheiservicesitheyiofferiandisupply,ipr
ofessionalipeopleiholdithemselvesioutiasihavingimoreithaniaverageiabilities.
1.1iHistoryiofiProfessionaliNegligence.
TheicaseiofiprofessionalinegligenceicameitoilightiinicaseiofiJacobiMathewivsiStateiofiPunjab,2
005.iThenithereiisiaifamousitesticallediBolamiVSiFreierniHospitalimanagementicommitteeiwhi
chidetailsitheitechnicalitiesiofiMedicalinegligence.iTheiconcepticameiintoilightiwheniconsiderin
giaicaseiitiwasidecidedithatitheipractitionerimustibringitoihisitaskiaireasonableidegreeiofiskillian
diknowledgeiandimustiexerciseiaireasonableidegreeioficare.iNeitheritheiveryimaximuminorithei
veryilowidegreeioficareiandicompetence,ijudgediinitheilightiofitheiparticulariincidentsiofieachic
ase,iisiwhatitheilawirequires,iandiaipersoniisinotiliableiininegligenceibecauseisomeoneielseiofib
etteriskilliandiknowledgeiwouldihaveiprescribedidifferentitreatmentiorioperatediiniaidifferentiw
ayi;noriisiheiguiltyiofinegligenceiifiheihasiactediiniagreementiwithitheipracticeiacceptediasiprop
eribyiairesponsibleibodyiofimedicalimeniskillediinithatiparticulariart,ievenithoughiaibodyiofiave
rseiopinionialsoiexistediamongimedicalimen.

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

4. iRESEARCHi METHODOLOGY

4.1 MethodiofiResearch
Theiresearcherihasiadoptediaipurelyidoctrinalimethodiofiresearch.iTheiresearcherihasimadeiexte
nsiveiuseiofitheilibraryiatitheiChanakyaiNationaliLawiUniversityiandialsoitheiinternetisources.

4.2 AimsiandiObjectives
Theiaimiofitheiresearcheriis:

1. ToiunderstandiwhatiisiProfessionaliandiMedicaliNegligence.

2. ToiknowiaboutitheiingredientsiofiMedicalinegligence.

3. ToiknowitheiconceptiofiConsumeriProtectioniiAct,1986.

4. Toistudyitheitopiciwithitheihelpiofilandmarkicases.

4.3 Hypothesis:

TheiconceptiofiProfessionaliNegligenceievolvedito:

1. Protectitheirightioficonsumeriwhoihasipaidiforitheiservice.

2. Makeiliableitheiprofessionalsi(doctorsiinicaseiofimedicalinegligence)iifithereiisin
egligenceionitheiripart.

4.4 Limitation:
Theipresentediresearchiisiconfineditoiaitimeilimitiofioneimonthiandithisiresearchicontainsidoctri
naliworks,iwhichiareilimiteditoilibraryiandiinternetisourcesiandiempiricaliresearch.

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

5. ConceptiofiConsumeriProtectioniAct,1986

5.1 CONSUMER.
Aiconsumeriisiaipersoniwhoileasesioriavailsiofianyiservicesiforiaiconsiderationithatihasibee
nipaidioripromisedioripartlyipaidiandipartlyipromisedioriunderianyisystemiofideferredipaym
entiandiincludesianyibeneficiaryiofisuchiservicesiotherithanitheipersonihiresioriavailsiofithei
servicesiforiconsiderationipaidioripromised,ioriunderianyisystemiofideferredipayment,iwhen
isuchiservicesiareiavailediofiwithitheiapprovaliofitheifirstimentionediperson.iThisidefinitioni
isiwideienoughitoiincludeiaipatientiwhoionlyipromisesitoipay.

5.2 COMPLAINT.
AicomplaintiisiaiclaimiiniwritingimadeibyiaiComplainant,ii.e.,iaiconsumerithatiheiorisheiha
sisufferedilossioridamageiasiairesultiofianyiinsufficiencyiofiservice.

5.3 PLACEiOFiFILINGiOFiCOMPLAINT.
Aicomplainticanibeifilediini1)itheiDistrictiForumiifitheivalueiofiservicesiandicompensationiclai
mediisilessithani20ilakhirupees,i2)ibeforeitheiStateiCommission,iifitheivalueiofitheigoodsioriser
vicesianditheicompensationiclaimedidoesinotiexceedimoreithani1icroreirupees,iori3)iinitheiNati
onaliCommission,iifitheivalueiofitheigoodsioriservicesianditheicompensationiexceedsimoreithan
i1icroreirupees.

5.4 Provision for appeal

AniappealiagainstitheidecisioniofitheiDistrictiForumicanibeifiledibeforeitheiStateiCommission.i
AniappealiwillithenigoifromitheiStateiCommissionitoitheiNationaliCommissioniandifromitheiN
ationaliCommissionitoitheiSupremeiCourt.iTheitimeilimitiwithiniwhichitheiappealishouldibeifil
ediisi30idaysifromitheidateiofitheidecisioniiniallicases.

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
5.5 POWERSiOFiCONSUMERiREDRESSALiFORUMS.
Theiforumsihaveiaivarietyiofipowers.iTheyiarei1)I the call foriandienforcingiofithe

iattendanceiofianyidefendantioriwitnessiandiexaminingitheiwitnessiunderioath,i2)itheidiscov
eryiandiproductioniofianyidocumentioriotherimaterialiobjectiproducibleiasievidence,i3)itheir
eceptioniofievidenceioniaffidavits,i4)itheisummoningiofianyiexpertievidenceioritestimony,i5
)itheirequisitioningiofitheireportiofitheiconcernedianalysisioritestifromitheiappropriateilabor
atoryiorifromianyiotherirelevantisource,i6)iissuingiofianyicommissioniforitheiexaminationio
fianyiwitness,iandi7)ianyiotherimatteriwhichimayibeiprescribed.

5.6 ADJUDICATIONiOFiLIABILITY.
Theiprocessibeforeitheicompetentiforumiwillibeisetiinimotioniinitheifollowingimanner1.iWhe
nitheiComplainantifilesiaiwrittenicomplaint,ith0eiforum,iafteriadmittingitheicomplaint,isend
siaiwritteninoticeitoitheioppositeipartyiaskingiforiaiwritteniversionitoibeisubmittediwithini3
0idays.iThereafter,isubsequentitoiproperiscrutiny,itheiforumiwouldiaskiforieitherifilingiofian
iaffidavitioriproductioniofievidenceiinitheiformiofiinterrogatories,iexpertievidence,imedicalil
iterature,iandijudicialidecisions.

1
www.legalbites.in/medical-and-professional-negligence/

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

6. iMedicaliNegligence.

Negligenceiisisimplyitheifailureitoiexerciseidueicare.iTheithreeiingredientsiofinegligence
iareiasifollows:

1. Theidefendantiowesiaidutyioficareitoitheiplaintiff.

2. Theidefendantihasibreachedithisidutyioficare.

3. Theiplaintiffihasisufferedianiinjuryidueitoithisibreach.

Medicalinegligenceiisinoidifferent.iItiisionlyithatiiniaimedicalinegligenceicase,imostiofte
n,itheidoctoriisitheidefendant.

6.1.1 Whenidoesiaidutyiarise?2

Itiisiwelliknownithatiaidoctoriowesiaidutyioficareitoihisipatient.iThisidutyicanieitheribeia
icontractualidutyioriaidutyiarisingioutiofitortilaw.iInisomeicases,ihowever,ithoughiaidoct
or-
patientirelationshipiisinotiascertained,itheicourtsihaveiimposediaidutyiuponitheidoctor.iIn
itheiwordsiofitheiSupremeiCourti“everyidoctor,iatitheigovernmentalihospitaliorielsewher
e,ihasiaiprofessionaliobligationitoiextendihisiservicesiwithidueiexpertiseiforiprotectingilif
e”i(ParmanandiKatariaivs.iUnioniofiIndia[1]).iTheseicasesiareihowever,iclearlyirestricted
itoisituationsiwhereithereiisidangeritoitheilifeiofitheiperson.iImpliedly,itherefore,iiniother
icircumstancesitheidoctoridoesinotioweiaiduty.

6.1.2 Whatiisitheidutyiowed?3

Theidutyiowedibyiaidoctoritowardsihisipatient,iinitheiwordsiofitheiSupremeiCourtiisitoi“
bringitoihisitaskiaireasonableidegreeiofiskilliandiknowledge”ianditoiexercisei“aireasonab
leidegreeioficare”i(Laxmanivs.iTrimback).iTheidoctor,iiniotheriwords,idoesinotihaveitois
tick
onitoitheihighestiorisinkitoitheilowestidegreeioficareiandicompetenceiinitheilightiofitheic
ircumstance.iAidoctor,itherefore,idoesinotihaveitoiensureithatieveryipatientiwhoicomesit

2
www.legalbites.in/medical-and-professional-negligence/
3
www.legalbites.in/medical-and-professional-negligence/

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
oihimiisicured.iHeihasitoionlyiensureithatiheiconfersiaireasonableidegreeioficareiandiabil
ity.

Reasonable degree of care

Reasonableidegreeioficareiandiskillimeansithatitheidegreeioficareiandicompetenceithatia
ni“normalicompetentimemberiofitheiprofessioniwhoiprofessesitoihaveithoseiskillsiwould
iexerciseiinitheisituationiiniquestion.”iAtithisistage,iitimayibeinecessaryitoinoteitheidistin
ctionibetweenitheistandardioficareianditheidegreeioficare.iTheistandardioficareiisiaiconst
antiandiremainsitheisameiiniallicases.iItiisitheirequirementithatitheiconductiofitheidoctori
beirationaliandineedinotinecessarilyiconformitoitheihighestidegreeioficareioritheilowestid
egreeioficareipossible.iTheidegreeioficareiisiaivariableiandidependsionitheicircumstance.
iItiisiuseditoireferitoiwhatiactuallyiamountsitoireasonablenessiiniaigivenisituation.

Thus,ithoughitheisameistandardioficareiisiexpectedifromiaigeneralistiandiaispecialist,ithe
idegreeioficareiwouldibeidifferent.iIniotheriwords,ibothiareiexpecteditoitakeireasonableic
areibutiwhatiamountsitoireasonableicareiwithiregarditoitheispecialistidiffersifromiwhatia
mountiofireasonableicareiisistandardiforitheigeneralist.iInifact,itheilawiexpectsitheispecia
listitoiexerciseitheiordinaryiskilliofithisispecialityiandinotiofianyiordinaryidoctor.iThoug
hitheicourtsihaveiaccepteditheineeditoiimposeiaihigheridegreeiofidutyioniaispecialist,ithe
yihaveirefuseditoiloweriitiinitheicaseiofia beginner.

Anotheriquestionithatiarisesiisiwithiregarditoitheiknowledgeithatiisiexpectedifromiaidoct
or.iShouldiitiincludeitheilatestidevelopmentsiinitheisector,ihenceirequireiconstantiupdatin
gioriisiitienoughitoifollowiwhatihasibeenitraditionallyifollowed?iItihasibeenirecognizedib
yitheicourtsithatiwhatiamountsitoireasonablenessichangesiwithitime.iTheistandard,iasistat
ediclearlyihereinibeforeirequiresithatitheidoctoripossessireasonableiknowledge.iHence,iw
eicaniconcludeithatiaidoctorihasitoiconstantlyiupdateihisiknowledgeitoimeetitheistandard
iexpectediofihim.iFurthermore,isinceionlyireasonableiknowledgeiisirequired,iitimayinoti
beinecessaryiforihimitoibeiawareiofiallitheidevelopmentsithatihaveitakeniplace.

Weihave,iuntilinow,iexamineditheidutyiofiaidoctoriinisoifariasitreatingiaipatientiisiconce
rnedioriinidiagnosingitheiailment.iDoctorsiare,ihowever,iimposediwithiaidutyitoitakeithei
consentiofiaiperson/patientibeforeiperformingiactsilikeisurgicalioperationsiandiinisomeic

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
asesitreatmentiasiwell.iToisummarize,ianyiactithatirequiresicontactiwithitheipatientihasit
oibeiconsentedibyitheipatient.iAidutyioficareiisiimposedionitheidoctorsiinitakingitheipati
ent'siconsent.iNaturally,iaiquestioniarisesiasitoiwhatiisithisidutyioficare.iAsiperitheijudici
alipronouncements,ithisidutyiisitoidiscloseiallisuchiinformationiasiwouldibeirelevantiorin
ecessaryiforitheipatientitoimakeiaidecision.iTherefore,itheidutyidoesinotiextenditoidisclo
singiallipossibleiinformationiinithisiregard.iFurthermore,ithisidutyidoesinotiextenditoiwar
ningiaipatientiofiallitheinormaliattendantirisksiofianioperation.iTheistandardioficareirequ
irediofiaidoctoriwhileiobtainingiconsentiisiagainithatiofiaireasonableidoctor,iasiiniotheric
ases.

6.1.3 Whenidoesitheiliabilityiarise?

Theiliabilityiofiaidoctoriarisesinotiwhenitheipatientihasisufferedianyiinjury,ibutiwhenithe
iinjuryihasiresultedidueitoitheiconductiofitheidoctor,iwhichihasifallenibelowithatiofireaso
nableicare.iIniotheriwords,itheidoctoriisinotiliableiforieveryiinjuryisufferedibyiaipatient.i
Heiisiliableiforionlyithoseithatiareiaiconsequenceiofiaibreachiofihisiduty.iHence,ionceith
eiexistenceiofiaidutyihasibeeniestablished,itheiplaintiffimustistilliproveitheibreachiofidut
yianditheicausation.iInicaseithereiisinoibreachioritheibreachididinoticauseitheidamage,ith
eidoctoriwillinotibeiliable.iIniorderitoishowitheibreachiofiduty,itheiburdenionitheiplaintif
fiwouldibeitoifirstishowiwhatiisiconsiderediasireasonableiunderithoseicircumstancesiandi
thenithatitheiconductiofitheidoctoriwasibelowithisidegree.iItimustibeinotedithatiitiisinotis
ufficientitoiproveiaibreach,itoimerelyishowithatithereiexistsiaibodyiofiopinioniwhichigoe
siagainstitheipractice/conductiofitheidoctor.4

Withiregarditoicausation,itheicourtihasiheldithatiitimustibeishownithatiofiallitheipossiblei
reasonsiforitheiinjury,itheibreachiofidutyiofitheidoctoriwasitheimostiprobableicause.iItiisi
notisufficientitoishowithatitheibreachiofidutyiisimerelyioneiofitheiprobableicauses.iHenc
e,iifitheipossibleicausesiofianiinjuryiareitheinegligenceiofiaithirdiparty,ianiaccident,ioriai
breachiofidutyicareiofitheidoctor,itheniitimustibeiestablishedithatitheibreachiofidutyiofic
areiofitheidoctoriwasitheimostiprobableicauseiofitheiinjuryitoidischargeitheiburdeniofipr
oofionitheiplaintiff.

4
Lawctopus.com/academike/medical-negligence/

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Normally,itheiliabilityiarisesionlyiwhenitheiplaintiffiisiableitoidischargeitheiburdenionihi
miofiprovinginegligence.iHowever,iinisomeicasesilikeiaiswabileftioveritheiabdomeniofia
ipatientioritheilegiamputatediinsteadiofibeingiputiiniaicastitoitreatitheifracture,itheiprinci
pleiofi‘resiipsailoquitur’i(meaningitherebyi‘theithingispeaksiforiitself’)imighticomeiintoi
play.iTheifollowingiareitheinecessaryiconditionsiofithisiprinciple.

1. Completeicontrolirestsiwithitheidoctor.

2. Itiisitheigeneraliexperienceiofimankindithatitheiaccidentiiniquestionidoesinotihap
peniwithoutinegligence.iThisiprincipleiisioftenimisunderstoodiasiairuleiofievidenc
e,iwhichiitiisinot.iItiisiaiprincipleiinitheilawiofitorts.iWhenithisiprincipleiisiapplie
d,itheiburdeniisionitheidoctor/defendantitoiexplainihowitheiincidenticouldihaveio
ccurrediwithoutinegligence.iInitheiabsenceiofianyisuchiexplanation,iliabilityiofith
eidoctoriarises.

Normally,iaidoctoriisiheldiliableiforionlyihisiactsi(otherithanicasesiofivicariousiliability).
iHowever,iinisomeicases,iaidoctoricanibeiheldiliableiforitheiactsiofianotheripersoniwhich
iinjuresitheipatient.iTheineediforisuchiailiabilityimayiariseiwhenitheipersonicommittingit
heiactimayinotioweiaidutyioficareiatiallitoitheipatientiorithatiinicommittingitheiactiheiha
sinotibreachedianyiduty.iAitypicaliexampleiofiaicaseiwhereisuchiaisituationimayiariseiisi
initheicaseiofiaisurgery.iIfiaijunioridoctoriisiinvolvediasipartiofitheiteam,ithenihisiduty,ia
sifariasitheiexerciseiofitheispecialistiskilliisiconcerned,iisitoiseekitheiadviceiorihelpiofiai
senioridoctor.iHeiwillihaveidischargedihisidutyionceiheidoesithisiandiwillinotibeiliableie
veniifiheiactuallyicommitsitheiactiwhichicausesitheiinjury.iInisuchiaicase,iitiisitheidutyio
fitheisenioridoctoritoihaveiadvisedihimiproperly.iIfiheididinotidoiso,itheniheiwouldibeith
eioneiresponsibleiforitheiinjuryicauseditoitheipatient,ithoughiheididinoticommititheiact.

6.1.4 Whenithereiisinoiliability

“Aidoctoriisinotinecessarilyiliableiiniallicasesiwhereiaipatientihasisufferedianiinjury”iT
hisimayieitheribeidueitoitheifactithatiheihasiaivalididefenseiorithatiheihasinotibreachedit
heidutyioficare.5iErroriofijudgmenticanieitheribeiaimereierroriofijudgmentiorierroriofijud
gmentidueitoinegligence.iOnlyiinitheicaseiofitheiformer,iitihasibeenirecognizedibyitheico
urtsiasinotibeingiaibreachiofitheidutyioficare.iIticanibeidescribediasitheirecognitioniinila

5
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov>pmc

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
wiofitheihumanifallibilityiiniallispheresiofilife.iAimereierroriofijudgmentioccursiwheniai
doctorimakesiaidecisionithatiturnsioutitoibeiwrong.iItiisisituationiiniwhichionlyiiniretros
pecticaniweisayithereiwasianierror.iAtitheitimeiwhenitheidecisioniwasimade,iitididinotis
eemiwrong.iIf,ihowever,idueiconsiderationiofiallitheifactorsiwasinotitaken,itheniitiwould
iamountitoianierroriofijudgmentidueitoinegligence.

6.1.5 JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION OF MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE LIABILITY

Byiandilargeitheifollowingilegaliissuesihaveibeeniaddressediandirespondeditoibyidiffere
ntiforumsiandiCourtsiiniIndia.

6.1.6 Charge of Medical Negligence against Professional Doctors

FromitheitimeiofiLordiDenningiuntilinowiitihasibeeniheldiiniseveralijudgmentsithatiaich
argeiofiprofessionalinegligenceiagainstitheimedicaliprofessionalistoodioniaidifferentifoot
ingifromiaichargeiofinegligenceiagainstitheidriveriofiaimotoricar.iTheiburdeniofiproofiisi
correspondinglyigreaterionitheipersoniwhoiallegesinegligenceiagainstiaidoctor.iItiisiaikn
ownifactithatiwithitheibestiskilliinitheiworld,ithingsisometimesiwentiwrongiinimedicalitr
eatmentiorisurgicalioperation.iAidoctoriwasinotitoibeiheldinegligentisimplyibecauseisom
ethingiwentiwrong.iTheiNationaliCommissioniasiwelliasitheiApexiCourtiinicatenaiofidec
isionsihasiheldithatitheidoctoriisinotiliableiforinegligenceibecauseiofisomeoneielseiofibet
teriskillioriknowledgeiwouldihaveiprescribediaidifferentitreatmentiorioperatediiniaidiffer
entiway.iHeiisinotiguiltyiofinegligenceiifiheihasiactediiniaccordanceiwithitheipracticeiac
ceptediasiproperibyiaireasonableibodyiofimedicaliprofessionals.iTheiHon'bleiSupremeiC
ourtiinitheicaseiofiDr.iLaxmaniBalkrishnaivs.iDr.iTrimbak,iAIRi1969iSCi128,ihasiheldit
heiaboveiviewithatiisistilliconsidereditoibeiailandmarkijudgmentiforidecidingiaicaseiofin
egligence.iInitheicaseiofiIndianiMedicaliAssociationivs.iSantha,itheiApexiCourtihasideci
dedithatitheiskilliofiaimedicalipractitioneridiffersifromidoctoritoidoctoriandiitiisiincumbe
ntiuponitheiComplainantitoiproveithatiaidoctoriwasinegligentiinitheilineiofitreatmentithat
iresultediinitheilifeiofitheipatient.iTherefore,iaiJudgeicanifindiaidoctoriguiltyionlyiwhenii
tiisiprovedithatiheihasifallenishortiofitheistandardiofireasonableimedicalicare.iTheiprinci
pleiofiRes-Ipsa-
LoquiturihasinotibeenigenerallyifollowedibyitheiConsumeriCourtsiiniIndiaiincludingithei
NationaliCommissioniorievenibyitheiApexiCourtiinidecidingitheicaseiunderithisiAct.iIni
catenaiofidecisions,iitihasibeeniheldithatiitiisiforitheiComplainantitoiproveitheinegligenc

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
eiorideficiencyiiniserviceibyiadducingiexpertievidenceioriopinioniandithisifactiisitoibeipr
ovedibeyondiallireasonableidoubts.iMereiallegationiofinegligenceiwillibeiofinoihelpitoith
eiComplainant.

6.1.7 What Constitutes Medical Negligence?

Failureiofianioperationiandisideieffectsiareinotinegligence.iTheiterminegligenceiisidefine
diasitheiabsenceiorilackioficareithatiaireasonableipersonishouldihaveitakeniinitheicircum
stancesiofitheicase.iInitheiallegationiofinegligenceiiniaicaseiofiwristidrop,itheifollowingi
observationsiwereimade.iNothingihasibeenimentionediinitheicomplaintioriinitheigroundsi
ofiappealiaboutitheitypeioficareidesiredifromitheidoctoriiniwhichiheifailed.iItiisinotisaidi
anywhereiwhatitypeiofinegligenceiwasidoneiduringitheicourseiofitheioperation.iNervesi
mayibeicutidowniatitheitimeiofioperationiandimereicuttingiofiainerveidoesinotiamountito
inegligence.iItiisinotisaidithatiitihasibeenideliberatelyidone.iToitheicontraryiitiisialsoinoti
saidithatitheinervesiwereicutiinitheioperationiandiitiwasinoticutiatitheitimeiofitheiacciden
t.iNoiexpertievidenceiwhatsoeverihasibeeniproduced.iOnlyitheireportiofitheiChiefiMedic
aliOfficeriofiHaridwarihasibeeniproducediwhereiniitisaidithatitheipatientiisiaicaseiofipost
-
traumaticiwristidrop.iItiisinotisaidithatiitiisidueitoianyioperationioritheinegligenceiofithei
doctor.iTheimereiallegationiwillinotimakeioutiaicaseiofinegligence,iunlessiitiisiprovediby
ireliableievidenceiandiisisupportedibyiexpertievidence.iItiisitrueithatitheioperationihasibe
eniperformed.iItiisialsoitrueithatitheiComplainantihasimanyiexpensesibutiunlessitheinegli
genceiofitheidoctoriisiproved,isheiisinotientitleditoianyicompensation.

6.1.8 What is the Standard of Care?

Thisinowiaisettlediprincipleiofilawithatiaimedicalipractitioneriwillibringitoihisitaskiaireas
onableidegreeiofiskilliandiknowledgeiandimustiexerciseiaireasonableidegreeioficare.iNei
theritheiveryihighestinoritheiveryilowestidegreeioficareiandicompetenceijudgediinitheilig
htioficircumstancesiinieachicaseiisiwhatitheilawirequires.iJudgedifromithisiyardstick,ipos
t-
operativeiinfectioniorishorteningiofitheilegiwasinotidueitoianyinegligenceiorideficiencyii
niserviceionitheipartiofitheioppositeipartyiAppellant.iDeficiencyiiniserviceithusicannotib
eifastenedionitheioppositeiparty.

15
 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Iniaicaseithatileditoivisualiimpairmentiasiaisideieffect,itheifollowingiobservationsiwerei
made.iTheiliteratureiwithiregarditoilariagoiclearlyimentionedithatitheisideieffectiofithisi
medicineiifitakeniforiailongeridurationicanieffectieyesightibutithisiisinotiaifactiinithisicas
e.iBesides,ithereiisinoiexpertievidenceionirecorditoishowithatiuseiofithisimedicineicause
didamageitoitheipatient'sieyesight.iEveniforiargument'sisake,iifiitiisiacceptedithatithisime
dicineicausedidamageitoitheipatient'sieyesight,iifitheiRespondent-
doctoriisioneiwhoihasiadvisedihisipatientitoiuseithisimedicineiafterianiexaminationiiniwh
ichiheifounditheipatientitoibeisufferingifromimalaria,iinithaticaseiasiwellitheidoctor-
Respondenticannotibeiheldiguiltyiofinegligenceiorideficientiinihisiservice.iHowever,iasis
tatediaboveiinithisicaseitheimedicineihasibeeniusedibyitheipatientiinilowidosesiforiaifewi
daysiandithereiisinoiexpertievidenceitoishowithatitheiuseiofimedicineihasiaffectedihisiey
esight.iTherefore,itheiComplainant-
AppellantihasifaileditoiproveithatitheiRespondentiwasinegligentiandideficientiinihisiduty
iasiaidoctor.

6.1.9 Proof of Medical Negligence

ItihasibeeniheldiinidifferentijudgmentsibyitheiNationaliCommissioniandibyitheiHon'blei
SupremeiCourtithatiaichargeiofiprofessionalinegligenceiagainstiaidoctoristoodioniaidiffer
entifootingifromiaichargeiofinegligenceiagainstiaidriveriofiaivehicle.iTheiburdeniofiproo
fiisicorrespondinglyigreaterionitheipersoniwhoiallegesinegligenceiagainstiaidoctor.iItiisia
iknownifactithatieveniwithiaidoctoriwithitheibestiskills,ithingsisometimesigoiwrongiduri
ngimedicalitreatmentioriiniaisurgery.iAidoctoriisinotitoibeiheldinegligentisimplyibecause
isomethingiwentiwrong.iItiisianiadmittedifactithatitheiComplainant'sieyesightiwasinotire
storediafteritheioperationiwasiconductedibyitheiAppellantibutionithisigroundialoneiaido
ctoricaninotibeiheldinegligentibecauseieveniafteriadoptingiallinecessaryiprecautionsiand
icareitheiresultiofitheioperationimayinotibeisatisfactoryisinceiitidependsionivariousiothe
rifactors.6iTheicontentioniofitheiAppellantiwasithatitheipatientiwasisufferingifromidiabet
esiandibloodipressureiandiinimanyisuchicasesieyesightiisinotirestorediafteritheioperationi
howevericarefullyiitiisidone.iInithisicase,ithereiisinothingionirecorditoishowithatisomethi
ngiwentiwrongidueitoianiactiofitheiAppellant-
doctor.iThereiisinoievidenceitoicomeitoitheiconclusionithatitheiAppellantifellibelowithei

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
standardiofiaireasonablyicompetentipractitioneriinitheirifield,isoimuchisoithatitheiricond
uctimightibeideservingioficensure.iTheiAppellanticannotibeiliableiforinegligenceibecaus
eisomeoneielseiofibetteriskillioriknowledgeiwouldihaveiprescribediaidifferentimethodiofi
operationiinidifferentiway.iTheievidenceisuggestsithatitheiAppellantihasiperformeditheio
perationiandiactediiniaccordanceiwithitheipracticeiregularlyiacceptediandiadoptedibyihi
miinithisihospitaliandiseveralipatientsiareiregularlyitreatediforitheirieyeiproblems.iTheiH
on'bleiSupremeiCourtiinitheicaseiofiDr.iLaxmaniBalkrishnaivs.iDr.iTriambak,iAIRi1969
iSupremeiCourtipagei128ihasihelditheiaboveiviewiandithisiviewihasibeenifurthericonfir
mediinitheicaseiofitheiIndianiMedicaliAssociationivs.iSantha.iTheiApexiCourtianditheiN
ationaliCommissionihasiheldithatitheiskilliofiaimedicalipractitioneridiffersifromidoctorito
idoctoriandiitiisianiincumbentiuponitheiComplainantitoiproveithatitheiAppellantiwasineg
ligentiinitheilineiofitreatmentithatiresultediinitheilossiofieyesight.iAiJudgeicanifindiaidoc
toriguiltyionlyiwheniitiisiprovedithatiheihasifallenishortiofiaistandardiofireasonableimedi
calicare.iTheifactiandicircumstancesiofitheicaseibeforeiusishowithatitheiAppellantihasiatt
endeditoitheipatientiwithidueicare,iskill,iandidiligence.iSimplyibecauseitheipatient'sieyesi
ghtiwasinotirestoredisatisfactorily,ithisiaccountialoneiisinotigroundsiforiholdingitheidoct
origuiltyiofinegligenceiandideficientiinihisiduty.iItiisisettledilawithatiitiisiforitheiCompla
inantitoiproveitheinegligenceiorideficiencyiiniserviceibyiadducingiexpertievidenceioriopi
nioniandithisifactiisitoibeiprovedibeyondiallireasonableidoubt.iMereiallegationiofineglige
nceiwillibeiofinoihelpitoitheiComplainant.

Theifollowingicasesiofiallegedimedicalinegligenceiprovideianiinsightiintoihowitheifinali
decisioniisireachedibyitheijudicialibodies.i“Allimedicalinegligenceicasesiconcernivarious
iquestionsiofifact,iwheniweisayiburdeniofiprovinginegligenceiliesionitheiComplainant,iiti
meansiheihasitheitaskioficonvincingitheicourtithatihisiversioniofitheifactsiisitheicorrectio
ne”.iNoiexpertiopinionihasibeeniproducedibyitheiComplainantitoicontradictitheireportiof
itheiBoardiofiDoctors.iTheiappealiofitheiComplainantiwasidismissediwithicostsiasi“Noie
xpertiopinionihasibeeniproducedibyihim.”iIniaicaseiofianiimproperiunioniofitheipatella,i
noiexpertihasibeeniproducedibyitheiComplainantitoiproveinegligenceiofitheioppositeipart
y.iThus,iiticannotibeisaidiwithiexactnessithatitreatmentiofitheiComplainantibyitheiopposi
teipartyiwasiagainstitheinormsiprescribediunderitheimedicalijurisprudenceiorithatitheiopp
ositeipartyiinianyiwayiwasinegligentiorideficientiinitheiperformanceiofihisiduties.

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
“Allegationiofimedicalinegligenceiisiaiseriousiissueiandiitiisiforitheipersoniwhoisetsiupit
heicaseitoiproveinegligenceibasedionimaterialionirecordioribyiwayiofievidence”.iTheico
mplaintiofimedicalinegligenceiwasidismissedibecauseitheiapplicantifaileditoiestablishian
diproveianyiinstanceiofimedicalinegligence.i“Merelyibecauseitheioperationididinotisucce
ed,itheidoctoricannotibeisaiditoibeinegligent”ianditheiappealiofitheidoctoriwasiallowed.i“
Aimereiallegationiwillinotimakeiaicaseiofinegligenceiunlessiitiisiprovedibyireliableievide
nceiandiisisupportedibyiexpertievidence”ianditheiappealiwasidismissed.i“Theicommissio
nicannoticonstituteiitselfiintoianiexpertibodyiandicontradictitheistatementiofitheidoctoriu
nlessithereiisisomethingicontraryionitheirecordibyiwayiofianiexpertiopinioniorithereiisian
yimedicalitreatiseioniwhichirelianceicouldibeibased”ianditheiRevisionipetitioniofitheidoc
toriwasiallowed.iInianothericase,ianiX-
rayireportiindicatediaismalliopacityithatisimilaritoianiopaqueishadowithatibecomesivisibl
eiforimanyicausesiotherithaniaicalculus.iIticouldinotibeiassumedithatistillistoneiexistedii
nitheirightikidneyithatihadinotibeenioperatediupon.iUnderitheicircumstances,iweidoinotit
hinkithatianyicaseiofinegligenceihasibeenimadeibyitheiComplainant.iThisipetitioniis,ither
efore,iallowed.

6.1.10 The Need for Expert Evidence in Medical Negligence Cases

TheiCommissionicannoticonstituteiitselfiintoianiexpertibodyiandicontradictitheistatement
iofitheidoctoriunlessithereiisisomethingicontraryionitheirecordibyiwayiofianiexpertiopini
oniorithereiisianyimedicalitreatiseioniwhichirelianceicouldibeibased.iInithisicaseithereiw
asiaifalseiallegationiofiurinaryistoneinotibeingiremovediasishownibyiaishadowiinitheixra
yi“TheiburdeniofiprovingitheinegligentiactioriwrongidiagnosisiwasionitheiComplainant”i
anditheiappealiwasidismissediinianothericaseiofiallegedimedicalinegligenceiasinoiexperti
evidenceiwasiproduced.iTheicaseidiscussedibelowiisinotiaicaseiofiapparentinegligenceio
nitheipartiofitheisurgeoniiniconductingitheioperation,ibutiaboutitheiqualityiofitheiplateius
ediforifixingitheibone.iInitheipresenticase,itheiComplainantihasinotiproducedianyiexperti
witnessesitoiproveithatithereiwasianyifaultiinitheiperformanceiofitheioperations.iFixation
iofitheibonesibyiusingiplatesiisioneiofitheirecognizedimodesiofitreatmentiinitheicaseiofif
ractureiofitheibones.iIfitheioppositeipartyihasiadopteditheiaforesaidimethod,ithoughisubs
equentlyitheiplateibroke,inegligenceicannotibeiattributeditoitheidoctor.iThisiisinotiaicasei
whereitheiwoundsiofitheioperationiwereiinfectediorianyiothericomplicationiarose.iBreaki

18
 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
ngiofitheiplateiapproximatelyi6imonthsiafteriitiwasiplacedicannotibeiattributeditowardsia
inegligentiactiofitheidoctoriiniperformingitheioperation.iTheiDistrictiForumirightlyiheldit
hatitheiComplainantihadifaileditoiproveihisicase.iThereiisinothingionitheirecorditoisugge
stithatithereihasibeenianyinegligenceiand/orideficiencyiiniserviceionitheipartiofitheiAppe
llantiexceptitheioralisubmissioniofitheiRespondent/Complainant.iInisuchicases,ibeforeico
mingitoiaipositiveifinding,ithereimustibeiexpertievidenceionirecordiasihasibeeniheldiboth
ibyitheiNationaliCommissioniasiwelliasitheiApexiCourt.i“Asiperitheisettledilaw,itheionu
sitoiproveithatithereiwasinegligence”ideficiencyiiniserviceionitheipartiofitheioppositeipar
ties,iwhileidiagnosingianditreatingitheiComplainant,ilayiheavilyionitheiComplainant.iInit
heigivenifacts,itheiComplainantihasifaileditoidischargeitheionusithatiwasionihim.iTheico
mplaintiwasidismissediasitheiComplainantifaileditoidischargeitheionusitoiproveinegligen
ceiorideficiencyiiniservice.

theiComplainantitoishowithatithereiwasianyinegligenceibyitheiRespondentiwhileiimplant
ingitheilensiinitheieyeiofitheiComplainantiresultingiiniaipersistentiproblemiinitheileftieye
.

TheiComplainantidoesinotiexamineianyiexpertionitheisubjectitoiestablishihisiallegationio
finegligenceionitheipartiofitheidoctor.iUnfortunateithoughitheiincidentiis,itheiComplaina
ntineedsitoiestablishinegligenceionitheipartiofitheidoctoritoisucceediiniaicaseilikeithis.iW
eimayiobserveithatithereiisihardlyianyicogentimaterialitoisubstantiateitheiallegationiconta
inediinitheipetitioniofiComplainant.iUnderitheicircumstances,iweicannotibutiholdithatith
eiComplainantihasifaileditoiproveitheiallegationsiagainstitheioppositeiparties.Asiheldibyit
heiNationaliCommissioniiniSethuramaniSubramaniamiIyerivs.iTriveniiNursingiHomeian
dianr.,i1998iCTJ7,iinitheiabsenceiofisuchievidenceiregardingitheicauseiofideathiandiabs
enceiofianyiexpertimedicalievidence,itheiComplainantsihaveifaileditoiproveinegligenceio
nitheipartiofitheioppositeiparties.7

Iniorderitoidecideiwhetherinegligenceiisiestablishediinianyiparticularicase,itheiallegediac
t,iomission,ioricourseioficonductithatiisitheisubjectiofitheicomplaintimustibeijudgedinoti
byiidealistandardsinoriinitheiabstractibutiagainstitheibackgroundiofitheicircumstancesiini
whichitheitreatmentiiniquestioniwasigiven.iTheitrueitestiforiestablishinginegligenceionith
eipartiofiaidoctoriisiasitoiwhetheriheihasibeeniproveniguiltyiofisuchifailureiasinoidoctori

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
withiordinaryiskillsiwouldibeiguiltyiofiifiactingiwithireasonableicare.iMerelyibecauseiai
medicaliprocedureifails,iiticannotibeistatedithatitheimedicalipractitioneriisiguiltyiofinegli
genceiunlessiitiisiprovedithatitheimedicalipractitionerididinotiactiwithisufficienticareiand
iskillianditheiburdeniofiprovingithisirestsiuponitheipersoniwhoiassertsiit.iTheidutyiofiai
medicalipractitioneriarisesifromitheifactithatiheidoesisomethingitoiaihumanibeingithatiisi
likelyitoicauseiphysicalidamageiunlessiitiisinotidoneiwithipropericareiandiskill.iThereiisi
noiquestioniofiwarranty,iundertaking,ioriprofessioniofiaiskill.iTheistandardioficareiandis
killitoisatisfyitheidutyiinitortiisithatiofitheiordinaryicompetentimedicalipractitioneriexerci
singianiordinaryidegreeiofiprofessionaliskill.iAsiperitheilaw,iaidefendantichargediwithine
gligenceicaniclearihimselfiifiheishowsithatiheiactediiniaccordanceiwithitheigeneraliandia
pprovedipractice.iItiisinotirequirediinitheidischargeiofihisidutyioficareithatiheishouldiuse
itheihighestidegreeiofiskill,isinceithisimayineveribeiacquired.iEveniaideviationifrominor
maliprofessionalipracticeiisinotinecessaryiiniallicasesievidentiofinegligence.

20
 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
6.2 CHAPTERi4.1 BOLAM TEST8
Facts

The defendant was the body who employed a doctor who had not given a mentally-ill patient (the
claimant) muscle-relaxant drugs nor restrained them prior to giving them electro-convulsive
therapy. The claimant suffered injuries during the procedure. The claimant sued the defendant,
claiming the doctor was negligent for not restraining them or giving them the drug.

Issue

Establishing the tort of negligence involves establishing that the defendant breached their duty of
care to the claimant. To establish breach, the claimant must establish that the defendant failed to
act as a reasonable person would in their position. This standard is higher in the case of
professionals: they must act as a reasonable professional would.

The issue in this case was how to assess the standard of care imposed on a professional
defendant where a substantial portion of professionals opposed a particular practice, while others
did not.

Held

The High Court held that the doctor had not breached his duty to the patient, and so the
defendant was not liable.

McNair J set out the test for determining the standard of care owed by medical professionals to
their patients (sometimes referred to as the ‘Bolam test’). The professional will not be in breach
of their duty of care if they acted in a manner which was in accordance with practices accepted
as proper by a responsible body of other medical professionals with expertise in that particular
area. If this is established, it does not matter that there are others with expertise who would
disagree with the practice.

8
https://www.google.com/amp/s/livelaw/know-the-law/medical-negligence.

21
 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

7. Landmark cases related to medical negligence.

7.1 Jacob Mathew vs State of Punjab9

Any reasonable man entering into a professor which required learning to be called the
professional of that branch, impliedly assures the person dealing with him with the
skill which he profess to possess shall be exercise to exercise with reasonable degree
of care and caution. He does not assure his client of the result. A lawyer does not tell
his client that the client shall always win the case in all circumstances. A physician
would not assure his patient of full recovery in every case and does not guarantee that
the result of surgery invariably be beneficial hundred percent for the person operated
on. Only assurance with such a professional can give or can be understood to have
given by the indication is that is possessed of the requisite skill in that practicing and
while taking the performance of the task entrusted to him he would be exercising his
skill with reasonable competence this is all what the person approaching should
expect.

7.2 Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha and others 10

In the matter of professional liability professions differ from occupations for the
reason that professionals operate in spheres where success cannot be achieved in
every case and very often success or failure depends upon factors beyond the
professional men's control. In devising rational approach to professional liability
which must provide proper protection to the consumer while allowing for the factors
mentioned above, the approach of the courts is to require that professional men should
possess a certain minimum degree of competence and that they should exercise
reasonable care in the discharge of their duties in general a professional man goes to
9
RK Bangia, LAW of Torts, 2015
10
RK Bangia, LAW of Torts, 2015

22
 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
his client duty in tort as well as in contract to exercise reasonable care in giving
advice for performing services.

7.3 Juggankhan vs state of Madhya Pradesh11

Brief Facts: The accused was a Homeopathic Medical Practitioner. He started practising since
May,-1960. He distributed pamphlets in the town that he would cure the chronic diseases
including Naru (guinea worm).

Smt Deobi, aged 20 years, was lured by the advertisement, and she approached the accused for
the treatment on 30-5-1961 at 8.00 a.m. The accused administered 24 drops of mother tincture
stramonium and a leaf of dhatura.

After taking the medicine Deobi started feeling of restless and illness with stomach ache. She
died at 5.00 p.m. The accused was prosecuted under Section 302. The Sessions Judge convicted
the accused under Section 302. On appeal the High Court confirmed the judgment of the trial
Court. He appealed to the Supreme Court.

Judgment:
The Supreme Court held that the appellant caused the death of Smt. Deobi by his rash and
negligent conduct and he had no intention to cause the death of the patient. Hence the Supreme
Court set aside the conviction under Sec. 302 and imposed conviction of rigorous imprisonment
under Sec. 304-B.

7.4 Joint Director of Health Services, Shivgangal V. Sonal 12

Material facts which are necessary for proper disposal of the second appeal could be summarised
thus:-First plaintiff is the husband, and plaintiffs 2 to 4 are the children of late Panchavarnam,
who died on 3-1-1990. Plaintiffs allege that late Panchavarnam gave birth to the fourth plaintiff
on 4-12-1989. Second defendant in the suit, who is a motivator to encourage birth control
operations, persuaded Panchavarnam to have family planning operation, and she was admitted at
Paganeri Government Hospital. On 14-12-1989, i.e. ten days after the delivery, Panchavarnam
was operated. Plaintiffs allege that on the same day, she was discharged from the hospital
without being given any instructions regarding the follow-up action, and within two days,
11
The-laws.com/encyclopedia/browse/case/caseld=009869000
12
Lawyerservices.in/joint-director-of-health-services-sivagangai-and-another/medical+negligence/

23
 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Panchavarnam felt some pain in her abdomen. She was taken to the nearby Primary Health
Centre. After two days, she was asked to leave the hospital. Again, when she went back to the
house, she complained of pain, and at that time, the second defendant, who is not qualified even
as a Nurse removed the stitches in the house, even without taking any Preliminary precautions.
Thereafter also, the pain did not subside, and, therefore, she was taken to the hospital, and
finally, on the advice of the first defendant, she was taken to the Madurai District Hospital on 22-
12-1989. Even though good treatment was given, she died on 3-1-1990. According to plaintiffs,
the death of Panchavarnam was caused due to medical negligence. First defendant who operated
Panchavarnam was not careful enough to give necessary instructions to the patient, and she also
allowed the second defendant to remove the stitches. Panchavarnam was not given proper care.
Only due to the negligence of the defendants 1 and 2, Panchavarnam died.;

JUDGEMENT

The doctors as well as the state government were held liable for damages caused due to the death
of patient.

24
 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

8. iConclusion.
The evolving jurisprudence of medical negligence shows that the courts and the
consumer fora are proactive in protecting the interest of the victims from the corrupt
doctors’ careless attitude toward a noble profession. It is true that the medical profession
has to an extent become commercialized and there may be some medical practitioners
who depart from their ideal Oath for their selfish ends. However, the entire medical
fraternity cannot be blamed as lacking in competence just because of some. It must be
remembered that sometimes despite their best efforts the treatment of a doctor might fail.
Several factors might have contributed to such results. That does not mean that the doctor
or the surgeon must be held to be guilty of medical negligence, unless there is some
strong evidence the courts cannot impose liability on them. The Courts and Consumer
Forum are not experts in medical science and must not try to replace their own views
over that of medical professionals.
Indian society is experiencing a growing awareness regarding rights of consumers of
medical services. This trend is clearly distinctable from the legal action concerning
medical professional or the establishment of liability, claiming redressal for the suffering
due to medical negligence, vitiated consent, and breach of privacy arising out of the
doctor-patient relationship. The patient-centered initiative of rights protection is required
to be appreciated in the economic context of the rapid decline of State spending and
massive private investment in the sphere of the health care system and the Supreme
Court’s efforts to Constitutionalise right to health as a fundamental right. The
Government is under a duty to protect the health of the people because there is a close
connection between health and the quality of life of a person. There are various
provisions under the Constitution which deal with the health of the public at large.

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 PROFESSIONAL AND MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

9. Bibliography
Books referred :
 RK Bangia ,Law of Torts, Allahabad Law Agency, 24th edition ,2017
 Ratanlal and Dhirajlal, The Law of Torts, LexisNexis,28th edition, 2018
 Avtar Singh and Harshit Kaur, Introduction to the Law of Torts and Consumer
Protection, LexisNexis,3rd edition, 2013

Website referred:

www.legalbites.in/medical-and-professional-negligence/
 Lawctopus.com/academike/medical-negligence/
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov>pmc
 Mondaq.com/india/y/769010/professional+negligence/medical+negligence
 www.google.com/amp//livelaw/know-the-law/medical-negligence

 The-laws.com/encyclopedia/browse/case/caseld=009869000
Lawyerservices.in/joint-director-of-health-services-sivagangai-and-
another/medical+negligence/

26