Date:23/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/23/stories/2006092300010400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Expert view must to prove negligence'

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has said that expert evidence was necessary to prove failure in giving treatment to a patient.

The Commission made this observation while rejecting a complaint filed by Prabha Shankar and her son Maneyshwar for the death of her husband K. Shankar.

According to Ms. Shankar, her husband, who was suffering from chest pain, was brought to Narayana Hrudayalaya here. The angiogram revealed two blocks. The doctor advised another angioplasty and it was tentatively scheduled on July 15, 2002.

But the angioplasty was rescheduled to July 12, 2002 and the patient was asked to come to hospital at about 7 a.m. The patient, who was stable, was taken to the operation theatre around 7.40 p.m. After an unsuccessful angioplasty, the doctor recommended coronary bypass surgery. On the same night, her husband became critical. Shankar died on July 17, 2002.

M. Shama Bhat, Member of the Commission, said the complainants had produced only interested version and had failed to adduce expert evidence. Just because of the death, it could not be concluded that it was a result of negligence of the doctor and the hospital staff, the member said.