Thursday, October 16, 2025
25.1 C
New Delhi

Hospitals Can Be Held Liable For Negligence Even In Free Treatment, Rules Commission

Curated By :

Last Updated:

The family told the State Commission, citing a Supreme Court ruling, that even hospitals offering free treatment are covered under the Consumer Protection Act

The Commission has ordered the District Forum to re-examine the case within six months. (Representative/Shutterstock)

The Commission has ordered the District Forum to re-examine the case within six months. (Representative/Shutterstock)

The Gujarat State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has clarified that patients receiving free treatment are still considered consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, as hospitals provide a “service.” This decision led the Commission to refer an old case to the District Forum for re-examination.

The case, dating back to 2015, involves a patient’s family’s demand for compensation following alleged medical negligence that resulted in the patient’s death. Despite the free treatment provided by the hospital, the Commission has ordered the District Forum to re-examine the case within six months.

Recommended Stories

The incident occurred in 2013 when the patient Bharatkumar Gorhava was admitted to Akshar Hospital in Botad for kidney stone treatment. Post-surgery, Gorhava received an antiseptic injection that worsened his condition, leading to his death.

The family sought compensation from the hospital through the Bhavaninagar District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, which dismissed their complaint, stating that the patient was not a consumer due to the free treatment.

Refusing to give up, the family appealed to the State Commission, where their lawyer cited a Supreme Court decision affirming that hospitals providing free treatment still fall under the Consumer Protection Act. The Commission accepted this argument and remanded the case for re-examination.

This decision is significant for patients, as it clarifies that even those receiving free treatment can file complaints against hospitals for negligence. Under the Consumer Protection Act, any service provided by a hospital, whether free or paid, qualifies the patient as a consumer, allowing them to seek compensation for any negligence in treatment.

In a related initiative, the government has taken steps to ensure the benefits of GST rate reductions reach consumers. A dedicated section has been created on the National Consumer Helpline’s INGRAM portal in New Delhi for registering complaints related to GST rate changes. Complaints can also be made via the toll-free number 1915.

The Consumer Ministry stated that information received through this helpline will be shared with companies, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, and other authorities for prompt action. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with GST regulations and uphold consumer rights, empowering consumers to raise their voices and participate in a fair system.

News india Hospitals Can Be Held Liable For Negligence Even In Free Treatment, Rules Commission
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Loading comments…

Read More

Go to Source

Hot this week

Afghan-Pak conflict: Taliban accuses Islamabad of drone strikes in Kabul

File photo: Afghan servicemen guard along the border in the Zazai Maidan district of Khost province, Afghanistan (Picture credit: AP) Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Thursday claimed that Pakistan carried out two drone strikes o Read More

‘Wrap Up Or Speak Up’: Pannun’s Threat To Kapil Sharma After Attack On His Canada Cafe

Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kaps Cafe was a “symbol of Modi’s violent Hindutva ideology” Go to Source Read More

Yadav urges G20 nations to act as a bridge between ambition and implementation of climate action plans

Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav NEW DELHI: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, representing India at the G20 environment ministers’ meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday urged the group of big and emergi Read More

‘Proud Of My Father, Will Fulfill His Dreams’: Son Of Haryana ASI Who Allegedly Died By Suicide

In the note said to have been left by Lathar, he made serious allegations against a senior police officer, who himself had died by suicide recently—IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. Read More

Kacha Badam singer Bhuban Badyakar now lives in a new home

Internet fame can change lives overnight, and no one knows this better than Bhuban Badyakar, the man whose song Kacha Badam became a global sensation. Read More

Topics

Afghan-Pak conflict: Taliban accuses Islamabad of drone strikes in Kabul

File photo: Afghan servicemen guard along the border in the Zazai Maidan district of Khost province, Afghanistan (Picture credit: AP) Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Thursday claimed that Pakistan carried out two drone strikes o Read More

‘Wrap Up Or Speak Up’: Pannun’s Threat To Kapil Sharma After Attack On His Canada Cafe

Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kaps Cafe was a “symbol of Modi’s violent Hindutva ideology” Go to Source Read More

Yadav urges G20 nations to act as a bridge between ambition and implementation of climate action plans

Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav NEW DELHI: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, representing India at the G20 environment ministers’ meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday urged the group of big and emergi Read More

‘Proud Of My Father, Will Fulfill His Dreams’: Son Of Haryana ASI Who Allegedly Died By Suicide

In the note said to have been left by Lathar, he made serious allegations against a senior police officer, who himself had died by suicide recently—IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. Read More

Kacha Badam singer Bhuban Badyakar now lives in a new home

Internet fame can change lives overnight, and no one knows this better than Bhuban Badyakar, the man whose song Kacha Badam became a global sensation. Read More

Ananya rocks jumper worth whopping USD 700 to beat UK chill

Bollywood’s rising fashion icon, Ananya Panday, recently turned heads in London with a casual yet luxurious outfit. Read More

Netanyahu ‘determined’ to pressure Hamas to find remaining dead hostages

Israel’s prime minister has told a memorial for victims of the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023 that he is “determined” to secure the return of the dead hostages still inside Gaza, and that the country will continue to fight terr Read More

‘Don’t want Adityanath model in Bihar’: Congress’ Pawan Khera slams UP CM Yogi; reacts to ‘jungle raj’ comment

Congress leader Pawan Khera, left, and UP CM Yogi NEW DELHI: Taking a sharp dig at Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi, Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday said Bihar does not need the “Adityanath model. Read More

Related Articles