Private hospital ordered to pay Rs 34 lakh compensation for delaying ICU treatment over consent

The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Wockhardt Hospitals in Nashik to pay ₹34 lakh in compensation to the father of a young man who died in 2010 after the hospital failed to provide timely ICU care. The panel held that emergency medical care is a part of the right to life under the Constitution, and hospitals and doctors must provide such treatment immediately, even without the patient’s or relative’s consent, a TOI report stated.

Patient was not shifted to ICU despite signs of deterioration

The case involved Ravindra Naidu, who was admitted to Wockhardt Hospitals late on April 15, 2010, after a nosebleed. Ravindra, who had a complicated medical history including hypertension, chronic smoking, and occasional alcohol use, reportedly fell in the bathroom and complained of chest pain and uneasiness around 3 am.

According to the complaint filed by his father, Vijay Dashrath Naidu, the hospital did not immediately shift him to the ICU or provide proper treatment. He alleged that ICU admission was delayed until around 7 am, and the family was not informed of his condition between 7am and 11 am. He believed his son had died around 8.30 am on April 16 but said treatment continued until 12.30 pm to create false records.

Hospital said consent for ICU admission was denied

Wockhardt Hospitals and its doctors claimed that Ravindra’s death was caused by pre-existing medical issues and his own decision to stop prescribed anti-hypertensive medication. They said he had accelerated hypertension, which led to a fatal cardiovascular event. The hospital further claimed that ICU admission had been advised at the time of admission but was declined by the patient and his relatives, as recorded in the ICU register.

Panel rejects hospital's argument, says emergency care must be given

The state consumer commission rejected the hospital’s argument about consent. “A relative's consent is generally not legally required for admitting a patient to ICU. If the patient is critically ill and needs emergency care, the hospital and doctors can admit the patient to ICU under the doctrine of implied consent,” the panel observed.

While the commission acknowledged that the treating doctors appeared to have acted with qualification and skill, it concluded that the hospital failed in its duty to provide timely emergency care, which amounted to medical negligence.

Earlier complaint was dismissed by Nashik district forum

Vijay Dashrath Naidu had initially approached the Nashik District Consumer Forum, which dismissed his complaint of medical negligence. He later appealed to the state commission, which overturned the forum’s order and held the hospital accountable for lapses in emergency care procedures.

The compensation of ₹34 lakh was awarded as relief for the hospital's failure to admit the patient to the ICU in time, resulting in his death.