Dentist ordered to compensate patient Rs 9.24 lakh for causing paralysis

NT Correspondent

Chamarajanagar: A local dentist in Chamarajanagar has been directed by the Consumer Court to provide compensation amounting to Rs 9,24,605 to a patient who suffered paralysis as a result of receiving an excessive anaesthetic dose during a dental procedure.

The patient, Sukanya, a senior citizen, experienced paralysis after allegedly being administered a high dose of anaesthetic during a root canal treatment at Girija Dental Care on February 3, 2021.

Following the incident, she collapsed and was promptly taken to a local hospital and later transferred to another facility in Mysuru.

Sukanya remained in a coma for 20 days but, even after her recovery, the left side of her body remained paralyzed. Sukanya's son, Ravi Kumar, initially sought a refund for his mother's medical expenses from the dentist, Manjunath, who reportedly declined to reimburse the costs.

Despite Ravi Kumar's efforts involving District Health officials and the police, he received no resolution. Subsequently, on March 29, 2022, Ravi Kumar approached the Chamarajanagar Consumer Court for justice.

The court's ruling ordered Manjunath to pay Rs 6.14 lakh as treatment costs, Rs 3 lakh as compensation, and a fine of Rs 10,000, totalling Rs 9.24 lakh.

As of the report's writing, Manjunath had not provided the compensation to Sukanya's family, despite a court directive on August 29, 2023, mandating payment within 30 days.