HOSHIARPUR, PUNJAB — A Hoshiarpur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has held a local hospital and its treating doctor liable for medical negligence, ordering them to pay ₹15.5 lakh in compensation to the family of a 71-year-old woman who died after developing severe bedsores during her hospital stay.
The commission, comprising President Naveen Puri and members Prem Singh Salaria and Harvimal Dogra, issued the order on October 1, 2026. They found the medical facility and practitioner responsible for deficiencies in service and negligence during the patient's hospitalization in October 2025.
Details of the Negligence Case
The incident began in early October 2025 when the woman was admitted to the hospital for fever. After a five-day treatment period, she was discharged on October 6, 2025, following a bill payment of ₹1.16 lakh. Later that evening, her family discovered four severe bedsores on her back, wounds they claim were absent upon admission and developed despite her being alert and able to sit up during her stay.
The family immediately contacted the hospital, providing photographic and video evidence of the injuries. According to their complaint, the treating doctor allegedly admitted that hospital staff had failed to maintain proper hygiene and ensure regular repositioning of the patient, critical steps to prevent bedsores.
Despite subsequent home dressing services and further consultations prescribed by the hospital, the woman's condition deteriorated. She was readmitted to the same hospital in critical condition on December 5, 2025, and passed away the same day. Her death summary cited bed sore-acquired sepsis, septic shock, and multi-organ involvement as the cause.
Hospital's Defense Rejected
The hospital denied all allegations of medical negligence, asserting that the patient had no bedsores upon admission or discharge. They claimed that comprehensive preventive measures, including regular repositioning, the use of an air mattress, and adequate nutrition, were provided. Furthermore, the hospital argued that their nursing records and medical files contained no documentation of bedsores during her stay. They maintained that the patient could not be saved despite treatment after her readmission.
Commission Finds "Clear-Cut Negligence"
The Hoshiarpur commission vehemently rejected the hospital's defense. It observed that four bedsores of such severity could not have possibly developed within a mere few hours post-discharge, especially if no such wounds were present at the time of admission. The commission deemed the case one of “clear-cut negligence and deficiency of services,” highlighting significant failures in monitoring the patient’s condition, maintaining accurate medical records, and promptly identifying and treating the wounds during her hospitalization.
The family had originally sought ₹30 lakh in compensation. The commission ultimately awarded ₹15 lakh for the negligence, along with an additional ₹50,000 to cover litigation expenses, bringing the total compensation to ₹15.5 lakh. The ruling also specified that the respective insurers of the hospital and the doctor would be responsible for covering these awarded amounts.