Consumer forum directs hospital to pay Rs 6 lakh for faulty knee implant

He was rushed to the Sri Balaji Hospital where an implant was fixed on his left leg. “After a few days, there was oozing over the operated area and got infected. On May 20, another surgery was performed by the doctors along with skin grafting and discharged on June 2,” read the petition.

On June 22, there was severe pain in the operated area and he got himself admitted in another hospital. He then had to undergo four surgeries to remove the infected implant, external fixator and to cure the infection. Doctors there informed him that fractured bone was not united properly and the area should not have been closed by plastic surgery. Eventually, various deformities developed, leading to permanent disability, Sridharan claimed and sought compensation of Rs 5.35 lakh.

Denying the charges, the hospital said Sridharan did not come for follow-up check-ups, which could have prevented the infection.

However, forum president Mony and member Baskarkumaravel held that it was the negligence and deficiency in service on the part of Balaji Hospital that led to the complication. “It caused an irreparable loss, pain and suffering, mental agony resulting in physically handicapped position throughout his life.”