The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Mohali recently ruled microbiologist from a specialty hospital must pay Rs. 8 lakh in compensation to a man for medical negligence during his elderly mother's treatment in 2020. The case is about the hospital erroneously diagnosing the patient as COVID-19 positive, leading to significant distress and inconvenience for the family. Despite initial reports indicating a positive COVID-19 status, subsequent tests at another hospital in Chandigarh confirmed the patient and her family were negative. The hospital's handling of the situation, including improper treatment and unnecessary home quarantine, exacerbated the family's suffering and social stigma.
Initially, the District Commission had awarded Rs. 5 lakh in compensation, which the State Commission later increased to Rs. 8 lakh. The Commission highlighted the emotional and physical…
