Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ruled against Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, ordering them to compensate a 67-year-old patient ₹1 lakh for the harassment and rude behavior he endured during his treatment.
Case Details: Senior Citizen’s Ordeal at Apollo
The patient, a resident of MC Layout, Vijayanagar, was admitted on August 29, 2022, due to severe stomach pain. After multiple tests, including a CT scan, doctors recommended emergency surgery. However, post-surgery, his pain persisted.
On September 5, doctors advised a second surgery after complications arose. The patient claimed:
🔹 Nursing students mishandled his treatment, forcibly removing a syringe, causing swelling.
🔹 A catheter had to be inserted in his neck as a result.
🔹 Hospital staff behaved rudely during his stay.
Initially, Apollo Hospitals billed him ₹9.9 lakh, which was later reduced to ₹5.8 lakh after his protest. Frustrated by his experience, the patient filed a consumer complaint on June 28, 2023.
Hospital Denies Negligence, But Court Finds Harassment
Apollo Hospitals denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the patient was properly diagnosed, treated, and operated on with full consent. However, after reviewing evidence, the Consumer Commission ruled that:
✅ There was no medical negligence by doctors.
❌ But, the hospital failed to address staff misconduct.
✅ The patient suffered mental agony, discomfort, and harassment.
Consumer Court’s Verdict
The Commission ordered Apollo Hospitals to:
💰 Refund ₹35,360 charged for medical services.
💰 Refund ₹11,880 for nursing and hospital utilities.
💰 Pay 9% interest on both amounts from the discharge date.
💰 Compensate ₹1 lakh for harassment.
💰 Cover ₹25,000 in litigation costs.
This ruling reinforces patient rights and accountability in private hospitals, emphasizing that even if medical care is adequate, staff behavior and ethical treatment of patients matter.
