Medical Complications led to newborn's death: Chennai Doctor, Hospital slapped Rs 10 lakh compensation

Further, the hospital and the doctors allegedly informed him that during the delivery, the umbilical cord got tangled around the fetus's neck, leading to her head getting stuck and further complicating the procedure.

The situation worsened further as the newborn was in critical condition, suffering seizures and haemorrhage in the brain. Consequently, the treating doctors advised the couple to shift the baby to a private hospital in Chetpet for special treatment for hypothermia. Accordingly, the baby was shifted and admitted to the NICU ward; later the woman was discharged from the RS Hospital.

After undergoing treatment for 15 days at the private hospital, the doctors informed the woman that her child's condition could be ascertained only as she grew up. They allegedly also informed the couple that the situation was caused by the negligence of RS Hospital and the treating doctor during the delivery period. 

Despite spending Rs 2.87 lakh on the child's treatment, the baby could not be saved and unfortunately passed away in November 2023.

Following this, the couple filed the complaint before the Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

The consumer court found a deficiency in medical services and held the doctor and the hospital jointly liable to pay Rs 10 lakh towards compensation for deficiency in medical service, monetary loss, including the medical expenses incurred, mental agony, pain and suffering, and loss. They were also told to pay Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs within two months from the date of the order.

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