K Thangavel of PN Pudur first visited Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital on Mettupalayam Road in December 2019 for a vision problem. The hospital performed a phacoemulsification with a foldable IOL procedure on his right eye, charging around ₹30,000.
Coimbatore: The Coimbatore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a private hospital to pay ₹5 lakh as compensation to a man who lost his vision due to medical negligence.
K Thangavel of PN Pudur first visited Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital on Mettupalayam Road in December 2019 for a vision problem. The hospital performed a phacoemulsification with a foldable IOL procedure on his right eye, charging around ₹30,000.
In March 2021, during a follow-up visit, Thangavel informed the doctor that he had lost vision in his right eye. The doctor then suggested surgery on his left eye to restore vision in both eyes. Thangavel underwent this surgery on March 24, 2021, paying an additional ₹30,000.
In April 2021, Thangavel revisited the hospital due to irritation in his left eye. The hospital recommended a corrective procedure costing ₹12,000, which he underwent.
Despite these treatments, Thangavel lost vision in both eyes. A subsequent check-up at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) on April 6, 2023, confirmed 100% vision loss, with doctors stating that his vision could not be restored.
Following this, Thangavel filed a petition with the Coimbatore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, seeking ₹10 lakh in compensation. In its order, the commission directed the hospital to pay ₹5 lakh for mental and emotional suffering and economic loss. Additionally, the hospital was ordered to refund the medical expenses of ₹53,987 paid by Thangavel and pay ₹5,000 towards the cost of proceedings.
K Thangavel of PN Pudur first visited Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital on Mettupalayam Road in December 2019 for a vision problem. The hospital performed a phacoemulsification with a foldable IOL procedure on his right eye, charging around ₹30,000.
In March 2021, during a follow-up visit, Thangavel informed the doctor that he had lost vision in his right eye. The doctor then suggested surgery on his left eye to restore vision in both eyes. Thangavel underwent this surgery on March 24, 2021, paying an additional ₹30,000.
In April 2021, Thangavel revisited the hospital due to irritation in his left eye. The hospital recommended a corrective procedure costing ₹12,000, which he underwent.
Despite these treatments, Thangavel lost vision in both eyes. A subsequent check-up at the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) on April 6, 2023, confirmed 100% vision loss, with doctors stating that his vision could not be restored.
Following this, Thangavel filed a petition with the Coimbatore District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, seeking ₹10 lakh in compensation. In its order, the commission directed the hospital to pay ₹5 lakh for mental and emotional suffering and economic loss. Additionally, the hospital was ordered to refund the medical expenses of ₹53,987 paid by Thangavel and pay ₹5,000 towards the cost of proceedings.