In Brief
A 25-year-old woman died in the appellant hospital during a minor cervical encirclement operation. The post-mortem attributed death to shock following spinal anesthesia administered by a skin specialist without specialization in anesthesia. The State Commission awarded ₹3,00,000 compensation; the NCDRC enhanced it to ₹6,00,000 with 10% interest plus ₹50,000 litigation costs. The Supreme Court upheld this, finding the appellants' failure to explain the death, coupled with the doctor's incompetence and failure to manage the crisis, established medical negligence. Concurrent findings of fact by lower forums were binding and required no interference.
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