Negligence Claim Tossed: Punjab Commission Rejects Medical Malpractice Suit
The Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on Monday, September 15, 2025, overturned a lower court’s decision holding doctors and a hospital liable for medical negligence. The State Commission ruled that a finding of medical negligence requires demonstrably culpable or gross negligence, supported by concrete expert medical opinion.
The original District Commission ruling had apparently relied on perceived errors in judgment. However, the State Commission found the complainant’s case lacked the necessary expert evidence to substantiate claims of such negligence.
The appeals filed by the doctors and hospital were consequently allowed, setting aside the earlier verdict. This decision highlights the stringent standards required to prove medical negligence in consumer courts.
This ruling carries significant implications for future medical malpractice cases in Punjab. It underscores the importance of robust evidence, including expert testimony, for complainants seeking redressal for alleged medical negligence. The decision serves as a reminder of the high burden of proof in such sensitive matters.
