TN told to compensate woman for medical negligence

MADURAI: Madurai bench of Madras high court ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay Rs 2837,000 compensation to the family of a 34 year old woman who died in 2012 due medical negligence at the Government Nagercoil Medical College and Hospital, in Kanyakumari. Justice KK Sasidharan said, "The factual matrix clearly shows that the hospital authorities administered nitrous oxide to the deceased instead of oxygen. The doctors and paramedical staff of the Nagercoil Medical College were involved in acts of medical negligence. Because of their negligence, the petitioner's wife went into a vegetative state. Thus, the state is bound to pay compensation." State health secretary was ordered to pay the petitioner the amount with 9 per cent interest per annum within eight weeks.