In Brief
Jyoti Devi underwent routine appendix removal at Suket Hospital in 2005 but suffered persistent pain for over five years. A subsequent scan revealed a 2.5 cm needle retained in her abdomen, requiring additional surgery at PGI Chandigarh. The District Consumer Forum awarded Rs. 5 lakhs compensation for medical negligence. The State Commission and National Commission reduced this to Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakhs respectively, applying an Eggshell Skull Rule without identifying any pre-existing condition. The Supreme Court restored the original Rs. 5 lakhs award, holding that compensation must be just and adequate for suffering caused entirely by the hospital's deficient post-operative care, without proper basis for the Eggshell Skull application.
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