The Calcutta High Court awarded ₹5 lakh to a patient suffering from partial blindness after cataract surgery, ruling that the state government is strictly liable for medical negligence. The court underscored the duty of care owed to patients by state healthcare facilities.
Calcutta HC holds State liable for medical negligence in surgery case
The Calcutta High Court recently awarded ₹5 lakh in compensation to an electrician who suffered partial blindness following a cataract surgery at a state-run hospital in Metiabruz. The Court determined that the West Bengal government was strictly liable for the medical negligence and severe infrastructural deficiencies observed at the facility.
The Division Bench comprising Justices Shampa Sarkar and Arjun Ray Mukherjee emphasized that the right to eyesight is paramount and the state has an obligation to ensure adequate healthcare services. The lapses identified during the surgical procedure were categorized as gross negligence, further substantiating the Court's decision.
This ruling reinforces the principle of state accountability in public health services, particularly in lower-tier hospitals where patients' rights must be respected. The judgment is a significant affirmation of the doctrine of vicarious liability in the realm of state healthcare.
Medical practitioners and hospital administrators should heed this judgment, ensuring compliance with medical standards to avoid similar legal repercussions arising from negligence claims.
Citations
- Gobinda Chandra Debnath vs The State of West Bengal (2026) N/A
