In Brief
A six-year-old boy underwent PTOSIS (drooping eyelid) surgery in 1996 performed by Dr. Neeraj Sud at PGI. The patient's condition worsened post-operatively. The complainants sought compensation for medical negligence. The State Commission dismissed the complaint, but the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission partly allowed it and awarded compensation. The Supreme Court held that mere deterioration in a patient's condition does not prove negligence without evidence that the doctor breached his duty of care. As Dr. Sud was qualified and no evidence showed he failed to exercise his skill properly, the Court set aside the NCDRC's order, restored the State Commission's dismissal, and denied compensation.
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