Chandigarh GMC told to pay Rs 8 lakhs to kin of deceased burn victim

"In such circumstances, it can safely be observed that after the death of Kumar and before shifting Kakkar on the bed, it was not disinfected by hospital which amounted to medical negligence and deficiency on their part," it said.

According to the complaint, Kakkar was admitted in the hospital on October 26, 2008 with 50 per cent burn injuries 2nd and 3rd degree due to fire crackers on his neck, chest, both upper limbs and face.

On November 7, 2008 morning, another burn patient Praveen Kumar was admitted and allotted Kakkar's bed but after Kumar's death within a few hours, Kakkar was re-shifted to that bed which was neither sterilised nor disinfected and led to deterioration of Kakkar's condition and death later that day.

It was alleged that Kakkar contacted infection, due to the negligence of the hospital staff and callous attitude of the doctors.

However, the hospital authorities denied the allegation and claimed that the cause of death was septicemia consequent upon burn injury and that the patient was treated with utmost care and attention, and was given due standard treatment, as per the established protocol.