Newborn suffers scalp crush injuries, detached ear pinna in Forceps Delivery: Gynaecologist fined Rs 10 lakh compensation - Video

Holding medical negligence during a forceps delivery that resulted in serious injuries to a newborn, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has slapped Rs 10 lakh compensation on a Nellore-based obstetrician and gynaecologist. However, the bench further reduced the compensation for mental agony from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, noting a lack of evidence directly linking the injuries to the child's subsequent mental disability.

The case involved a complaint by a patient who alleged that her baby suffered scalp crush injuries and a detached ear pinna during a forceps-assisted delivery on April 17, 2011. The injuries, she alleged, led to brain damage and mental disability, prompting her to seek redress for medical negligence and the resulting trauma.

The bench comprising presiding member Bijoy Kumar and member Justice Saroj Yadav, was hearing the appeal filed by Dr P Yashodhara challenging the March 2019 order of the Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission awarding Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the complainant for mental agony, along with other costs, after holding the doctor guilty of medical negligence.