Source: https://pl.scribd.com/document/332640443/13-Law-of-Torts-Medical-Negligence-and-Consumer-Protection
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 12:04:54+00:00

Document:
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.
enhanced aspirations for improved service delivery and good governance.
providers of services on the other.
reference to the medical sector.
types of wrongs including the wrongs inflicted on the consumers.
monograph are insurance, transport, banking and finance, medical etc.
S. Date: August 1. Baswan. I would like to thank Prof. Director. Singh. S. S. I am also thankful to the Department of Consumer Affairs. IIPA for bringing out this publication. Director. I would like to thank the Centre for Consumer Studies.readers to understand the rationale of tortious liability and its applicability to the consumer disputes. IIPA for his encouragement and support. NLIU and Mr. Government of India for their help. B. 2010 Place: Bhopal Rajiv Kumar Khare 1 .
1962. (ii) right to be informed.2 These rights of the consumers were further strengthened by passing of resolution by UN General Assembly on April 9. Generally. has led to ensuring justice to all. 1986 (hereinafter referred as CPA) which aims to provide „for better protection of interest of the consumers and for the establishment of the quasi-judicial authorities for the settlement of the 1 Bill of Rights of the Consumers on March 15. and (iv) the right to healthy environment . It is this dynamic nature of tort law. food. Since the social opinion concerning crooked or deviant conduct is influenced by the ruling ideologies and the material conditions. It is equivalent to the English term „wrong‟. the notion of tort keeps on changing with time and place. At the domestic front. (i) right to satisfaction of basic needs . (iii) right to choose. (i) the right to safety. Other four rights added in the document are the . wherein general guidelines were issued by the United Nation General Assembly which included: (i) physical safety. (ii) protection and promotion of consumer economic rights. which creates civil liability and leads to non-penal consequences. (ii) right to to redress .INTRODUCTION The word „tort‟ has been derived from the Latin term „tortum‟. The development of consumer protection regime is fairly young and may be traced to the Bill of Consumers‟ Rights wherein the recognition of consumer rights commenced at the international level. and (iv) the right to be heard. and (vi) consumer education and information programmes. unless there is a legal policy leaving certain harms unrecognized. the consumer movement started with enactment of the Consumer Protection Act. 1985. 2 2 . which implies a crooked or twisted or not straight and lawful conduct. This ever expansive branch of law. has given recognition to several newer types of wrongs including the wrongs inflicted on the consumers. the law of torts.1 This Bill recognized four important rights of the consumers. (v) masures relating to specific areas like. every unjustified harm is a tort and as such actionable. (iii) right to to education . viz. water and pharmaceuticals. (iv) measures enabling consumers to obtain redress. (iii) standards for the safety and quality of consumers goods and services .
banking and finance. standard and price of goods or the services as the case may be so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices. This monograph. the concern for protection of consumers‟ rights and interests may be located under the Law of Torts which is even now equally effective and enforceable. include: (i) the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property. prior to these developments. Thus the discussion shall primarily be around these aspects under the torts law and consumer laws. transport. The sectors specifically included in this monograph are insurance. These rights.3 This Act has primarily given statutory recognition to the rights of the consumers in India. quantity . and (vi) the right to consumer education. with sector-specific treatment of consumer cases. Consumer protection regime primarily aims to protect against deficiency in services and defect in goods. The Law of Torts As stated earlier the term „tort‟ is derived from the Latin term „tortum‟ and is judge-made or court-developed law which can redress any violation of legal right if the same is not already covered under any statute time being in force. 1986 See. (iv) the right to be heard and be assured that consumer interest will receive due consideration at appropriate flora. the Object and Reasons clause of the Consumer Protection Act. therefore. (v) the right to seek redress against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. Section 6 of the CPA 3 . Defining any term is a tough task yet there are certain advantages which flow from an attempt to define any term.consumer disputes‟.purity. Attempts have been made by scholars to 3 4 See. medical etc. (ii) the right to be informed about the quality. attempts to throw light on the relationship of Law of Torts vis-à-vis Consumer Protection with special emphasis on Medical Negligence cases. given in the Act.potency .4 However. (iii) the right to access to variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
9 The tort is that civil wrong which is not exclusively any other kind of civil wrong. this compensation is not previously fixed between the parties. 2 ed. International Student Edition. The Chancery Division came to be known as the “writ shop” because a plaintiff could not get a writ without paying for it. 4.7 Thus from the above definitions following essentials of the torts emerge:  That it is a civil wrong8  That it is other than a mere breach of contract or breach of trust9  That the wrong is redressible by an action for unliquidated damages. this duty is towards persons generally and its breach is redressible by an action for unliquidated damages. one of whose function was the creation and issue of writs. 1998. The number of writs was limited. Provinces of Law of Tort (1931). the plaintiff institutes civil proceedings against the wrongdoer. 7 Section 2 (m) of the Limitation Act. According to Dr. Chap XII. i. In case of a civil wrong the injured part. “It (tort) is a civil wrong for which the remedy is a common law action for unliquidated damages and which is not exclusively the breach of a contract or the breach of trust or other merely equitable obligation. Williams and Hepple. Every aggrieved party (the Plaintiff) had to bring 5 Dr. Sweet & Maxwell. 1963 which reads that.define the term „tort‟.”6 The term „tort‟ has also been defined in the Limitation Act. it also enables us to distinguish tort from other civil wrongs. Chap 1. p. „Winfield And Jolowicz on Tort‟. “tortious liability arises from the breach of a duty primarily fixed by law. Winfield.10 Tortious Liability: A Historical Perspective Initially no one was allowed to bring an action in the King‟s Common Law Courts without the King‟s writ being issued from the Chancery which was not a Court of Law. 6 See. 10 Monetary compensation is the most important remedy in tort.g. If we find that a wrong is a mere breach of contract or breach of trust. main remedy in such cases is the damages (compensation). Foundations of the Law nd of Tort. in case of civil wrong the suit is adjudicated by balancing of the probabilities. As the damages in tort are unliquidated. rather it is to be determined by the court. 1963 8 The basic nature of civil wrong is different from a criminal wrong. where a person agrees to buy a computer does not fulfill his part of obligation. the wrong would be mere breach of contract and not the tort. „Tort means civil wrong which is not exclusively a breach of contract or breach of trust”. “it is an infringement of a right in rem of a private individual giving a right of compensation at the suit of the injured party.” Another definition given by Fraser provides that. like breach of contract or breach of trust. Winfield cited in WHV Rogers. but a Government Department.e. Winfield. 4 . e.”5 Sir Salmond stated that.
but merely consequential. there was considered to be no right. Further. presently called “tort”. the Chancery would issue a new writ. at pp. torts of harassment14. show that whenever there has been an unjustifiable interference with the rights of a person. when a new kind of injury occurred. Reprint 2001.  3 All ER 669 15 Wilkinson v. Supra n-4. Bush. and later (b) writ of trespass on the case. the person wronged by it could apply to the Chancery for a „writ of trespass upon the case‟ or for a „writ upon the case‟.47-48 13 st For details. a remedy is provided for the same. i.K. therefore. this process of recognition or rejection of right continued for more than 500 years when the Common Law Procedure Act. These „actions upon the case‟ seem to have been of wider ambit. i.e. there is a right. the courts have provided a remedy for the same. 1 Edn.e. that is to say. i. were at first: (a) Writ of trespass.e. in other words if there was no remedy by way of a writ. i. 12 See.his cause of action11 within a recognized form of action. Downton. Writ of trespass lay for injuries to land or goods or to the person limited to injuries which were direct and immediate. like. In the early 14th Century success of an action depended on the availability of writ. the plaintiff (the injured person) would then bring his action into the Royal Court. Thus most part of the law of torts grew out of the writs. recognition of newer torts. The writ of trespass became common around the year 1250. the law being “ibi jus ubi remedium‟. R. where there is a right there is a remedy. The writs that remedied the injuries. i. The judges may or may not hold that the writ expressed a good cause of action.1 14 Khorasandjian v. 12 The law. and (c) the writ on the case. “Law of Torts”. It did not extend to indirect or consequential injuries. was that where there is a remedy. 11 A cause of action meant a factual situation which entitles one person to obtain a remedy from another in the court of law. Ubi remedium ibi jus. Writ on the case provided for all injuries not amounting to trespasses. for all injuries which were either not forcible or direct.e. chap.13 The position then was changed and is now that whenever the court is convinced that a lawful right of a person is violated. see. Allahabad Law Agency. If the injury bore some analogy to one already covered by an existing writ. psychiatric sufferings15.e. 1852 was passed whereby writs were abolished.  2 QB 57 5 . etc. Further it was probable that injuries not remediable by the „writ of trespass‟ might be remedied by actions „upon the case‟ issued by the Chancery Division. Bangia. Armed with this. However.
it may be noted that this general principle preventing hurt (harm) by a wrongful act or wrongful omission must be recognized by law.Conditions of Tortious Liability The hallmark of tortuous remedy is the existence of a legal right and its protection against infringement. Thus it is quite possible that there has been merely infringement of a legal right with or without any physical loss or damage. the harm done may be caused by some person who is merely exercising his own legal right.” 17 In a famous Gloucester Grammar School case the defendant. it prevents people from hurting one another. he must of necessity have a means to vindicate and maintain it. it must be a legal damage and if it is not legally recognized. said. i. a schoolmaster. howsoever trivial it may be. J. said. It was held that the Defendant is liable. though it does not cost the party one farthing. Raym. Damnum means substantial harm. explained properly by the Latin maxim called. However. (1703) 2 Ld. No loss was suffered by such refusal because the candidate for whom he wanted to vote won in spite of that. or does any nuisance of the like sort.J. I shall have such action as the law gives. and indeed it is vain thing to imagine a right without a remedy. “if the plaintiff has a right. The fundamental principle of the tortuous remedy is „to hurt nobody by word or deed‟. no remedy may be provided.938 case. This situation may be explained through another Latin maxim. although I am damaged. Because of the competition. White. with the plaintiff‟s right would be actionable per se. Injuria sine damno. a returning officer. Holt. 16 Opposed to the above. there may be a situation where there has been no infringement of any legal right but there has been substantive harm/damage caused. wrongfully refused to take plaintiff‟s vote. and a remedy if he is injured in the exercise or enjoyment of it. which means damage caused without infringement of any legal right. This situation does not give any right to bring an action before any court of law.e. Hankford. the Plaintiff was a qualified voter at a parliamentary election. The legal damage is explained by a Latin maxim. wherein Injuria means infringement of a legal right conferred by law on the plaintiff and any unauthorized interference. i. called. the person so wronged could still approach the court and seek redressal of the alleged wrong. called. loss or damage in respect of money. Mr. “Damnum sine injuria”. health etc. but if a miller disturbs the water from going to my mill. For example. It was held by the House of Lords that the plaintiff has no remedy for the loss thus suffered by them. but the defendant.” 6 . set up a rival school adjacent to that of the plaintiff‟s school. as if I have a mill and my neighbour builds another mill whereby the profit of my mill is diminished.17 16 In Ashby v. “Damnum may be abseque injuria.e. the plaintiffs had to reduce their fees from 40 pence to 12 pence per student per quarter which resulted loss to the plaintiffs. comfort. “alterum non laedere”. for want of right and want of remedy are reciprocal… every injury imports a damage. I shall have no action against him. C.
rather than a state of mind. conversion. e. Sweet & Maxwell. it denotes the metal element. assault.A. where mental element is a relevant factor. for example. i. or indeed any other mental state of his. Centuries ago. 17 Edw.H.Types of Liability in Torts: A natural query arises whether the mental state of the tortfeasor (the wrongdoer) is a relevant factor in judging his liability under the law of torts? In the area of law of torts the state of mind of a person is relevant to ascertain his liability in number of torts like. and (ii) no fault liability or strict liability. defamation etc liability arises even without any wrongful intention on part of the defendant. conspiracy etc.e. Whereas in certain cases like. for the Devil himself knoweth not the thought of man. The law may frequently attribute to him an intention which a metaphysician would at most consider very doubtful.. a solicitor who forgets about the limitation period or a doctor who forgets that the patient is allergic to a treatment. M. is pressed into action when it comes to protection of consumers‟ rights and interests wherein damage/loss or infringement of consumers‟ right may take place owing to negligence on part of the service provider/manufacturer (or retailer) of goods. Thus liability in torts may arise in two ways: (i) fault based liability. It is impossible for the law to do more than to infer person‟s intention. nuisance or defamation. from his conduct. and (ii) negligence is considered as a separate tort which means a conduct which creates a risk of causing damage. The question here arises that do we call it negligence as a state of mind or a tort so as to fix the accountability of the wrongdoer? In fact the word „negligence‟ has twin meanings in law of torts: (i) negligence as a mode of committing certain torts. Brian C.J.”18 On the other hand.V.. Rogers. said: “it is common knowledge that the thought of man shall not be tried. false imprisonment. In this context.. no fault liability. the wrongdoer.g.J. had no doubt that 18 Year Book Pasch. battery. in 1885. 1998 p. Browen L. Pt. Negligence may be a mode of causing harm or it may be an independent tort. negligence. 2 cited in W. 4 Vol 2. negligently or carelessly committing trespass. “Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort” International Student Edition. Generally the second type of liability. 49 7 .
1998 p. The second type of negligence encompasses a mental element in tortuous liability which may entail liability. 483 Write W. in case of negligence as an independent tort. will suffer them. and not simply as an element is some more complex relationship or in some specialized breach of duty. 216 at 236.H.. “Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort” International Student Edition. by which neglect the plaintiff has suffered injury.” See. M. Bhanwarlal v. the wrongdoer cannot sensibly say that he did not intend the consequences or that the act was not aimed at the person who.B. An actionable negligence consists in the neglect of the use of ordinary care or skill towards a person to whom the defendant owes the duty of observing ordinary care and skill. it is known. 24 Defamation as a tort is “the publication of a statement which reflects on a person‟s reputation and tends to lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally or tends to make them shun or avoid him.“the state of a man‟s mind is as much a fact as the state of his digestion. 459 at p. (1945) K. meant. as a specific tort itself. Rogers. “Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort” International Student Edition. Read v. e. Dhanraj. or in connection with it. Rogers. and that all that Brown L. the negligence may be of three types: (i) the state of mind. trespass to person through the infliction of assault or battery. Lyons & Co.g. See. 1998 p.D. Also see.V. 391 20 8 . But Brian would certainly not have dissented from the proposition that in law what a person thinks must be deduced from what he says and does. All that Brian C.”19 There is no contradiction in these dicta. or nuisance23 or defamation24.20 Thus if an act is done deliberately and with knowledge of its consequences. may not incur any liability as it cannot be measured unless exhibited through a deed or an act.V. Fitzmaurice (1885) 29 Ch. 49 21 (1932) AC 562 22 (1883) 11 Q B D 503 23 Nuisance as a tort means an unlawful interference with a person‟s use or enjoyment of land. meant was that no one can be perfectly certain what passes in the mind of another. or some right over. treated negligence actionable where there was a duty to take care by the defendant. as state of mind. Negligence.J.A.A.J.. Stevensonn21. to person or property. However. W. the wrongdoer clearly cannot escape liability owing to his advertence to the risk or a conduct which creates risk of causing damage to 19 Edgington v. The House of Lords in Donoghue v. and (iii) an independent tort incurring liability of the tortfeasor. Sweet & Maxwell. M. Sweet & Maxwell. AIR 1973 Raj 212 at 216.22 Negligence—A Tort and Consumer Protection As stated before.H. (ii) mode of committing tort.
781 cited in W.any innocent person. Winfield has defined the tort of negligence as: “Negligence as a tort is the breach of a legal duty to take care which results in damage. requiring the actor to conform to a certain standard of conduct. so constitutes. whether of action or omission. the above definitions clearly bring in three important essential elements of the tort of negligence: (i) that a duty of care is owed to the plaintiff. The American approach recognizes four components of the tort: (i) a duty of care.H. (ii) there has been a breach of the duty. or doing something which a prudent and reasonable man would not do. manufacturers and service providers). (1856) 11 Ex. the consumer. (iii) a reasonably close causal connection between the conduct and the resulting injury or proximity cause. which may be declared and treated as negligence without any argument or proof as to the particular surrounding circumstances. As a general rule. It may further be pointed out here that all these four essentials are also generally applicable under English 25 Supra N-23 at p. Birmingham Water Works Co. to the plaintiff. 90 (In context of consumer protection the defendant would be the persons engaged in manufacturing. and (iv) actual loss or damage to the plaintiff. M. the violation of a public duty. guided upon those considerations which ordinarily regulate the conduct of human affairs.” Thus. Rogers. undesired by the defendant. “Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort” International Student Edition. sale or supply of goods or the service providers and the plaintiff is a sufferer of such activities of the traders.”26 Further the Black‟s Law Dictionary defines negligence per se as under: “Negligence per se—Conduct.V. enjoined by law for the protection of person or property. and (iii) damage has resulted from that breach or necessarily has causal linkage to the breach of duty besides infusing an element of the concept of reasonable man‟s conduct in determining the duty of care. would do. either because it is in violation of a statute or valid municipal ordinance.”25 Yet another classic definition of negligence is: “The omission to something which a reasonable man. Dr. or because it is so palpably opposed to the dictates of common prudence that it can be said without hesitation or doubt that no careful person would have been guilty of it.A. (ii) failure to conform to the standard. 171 9 .. 26 Blyth v. Sweet & Maxwell. 1998 p.
Rural Transport Service v.27 Explaining the neighborhood principle. owes a duty to the consumer to take that reasonable care.28 Thus the proximity rule is equally applicable in England and India as well.29 The essentials of the tort of negligence are explained herein under: The Existence of the Duty of Care: It would be absurd to hold any person liable for his every careless act or even for every careless act that causes damage. R. He may only be liable in negligence if he is under a legal duty to take care. in Donogue v. for example. to avoid conduct fraught with unreasonable risk of danger to others.  All E. 29 See. Thus it may be said that the “duty” is “the relation between individuals which imposes upon one a legal obligation for the benefit of other”. the plaintiff (consumer) has to establish that the wrongdoer owed to him a specific legal duty to take care of which he has made a breach. Stevenson. 1 ibid. which he sells in such a form as so to show that he intends them to reach the ultimate consumer in the form in which they left him with no reasonable possibility of intermediate examination and with the knowledge that the absence of reasonable care in the preparation or putting up of the products will result in an injury to the consumer‟s life or property. Bezlum Bibi. greater amount of care and caution on the part of the driver was called for so that his leaning the metallic truck by swerving on the right to close to a tree with over-hanging branch for overtaking a cart while on speed is also a rash and negligent act. wherein it was observed “that inviting passengers to travel precariously on the top of an overloaded bus is itself a rash and negligent act that apart when passengers were being made to travel on the roof.or Indian law so far as the proximity of relationship is concerned. religious or social duty and therefore.” Thus the existence of duty towards the plaintiff becomes 27 Donoghue v. p. As asked by the House of Lords. “A manufacturer of products. A person is only required to meet the standard of care where he has an obligation or a duty to be careful.” 28 10 . Stevenson case on the issue as to: Who is my neighbour? Lord Atkin answered that “the persons who are so closely and directly affected by my act that I ought reasonably to have them in contemplation as being so affected when I am directing my mind to the acts or omissions which are called in question”. recognized by law. Put in other terms the duty is “an obligation. AIR 1980 Cal 165. Legal duty is different from the moral. Lord Atkin observed that.
The court held the driver and conductor liable in negligence. were knocked down by an overhanging branch of a tree causing injury to the son of the plaintiff who ultimately died. The solicitors received the letter but did nothing for long and when he made arrangements to visit the testator. the House of Lords providing tortuous solution to the case noted that “if the solicitors were negligent and their negligence did not come to light until after the death of the testator. who knew the fact that the passengers are traveling on the roof top of the bus. the testator died two days before the new dispositions to the plaintiffs were put into effect. For example. Thereafter the testator reconciled with his daughters and sent a letter to his solicitors giving instructions that a new Will should be prepared so as to include gifts of 9. The interesting fact in this case is the plaintiffs were strangers to the solicitors and the law as well because neither. wherein the conductor of an overcrowded bus allowed passengers to travel on the top of the bus and due to negligence of the bus driver. The plaintiffs brought an action against the solicitors.important factor for fixation of the liability of the tortfeasor. Some of the tests that have been developed by the courts include: (i) Foresight: whether the defendant owes a duty of care to the plaintiff or not depends on reasonable foreseeability of the injury to the plaintiff. However. they had any properly executed Will in their favour nor they had any communication with the solicitors so as to infuse an element of duty towards them. Jones case. However. in White v. 11 . his two daughters. who quarreled with the plaintiffs. If at the time of the act or omission the defendant could reasonably foresee injury to the plaintiff he would be deemed to owe a duty to prevent that injury and failure to do that shall make him liable. there would be no remedy for the ensuing loss unless the intended beneficiary could claim. The existence of legal duty depends upon several considerations borne in mind by the court while deciding the matter and is worked out on case to case basis.000 pounds each to the plaintiffs. in cases such as this. the testator. executed a will cutting them out of his estate.30 (ii) Assumption of Responsibility: the duty may arise by assumption of responsibility. 30 Supra n-28.
C.34 it was held that “while a doctor performing a vasectomy may owe the patient a duty to advise about 31  2 A.C. that the absence of proximity in time or space will not prevent the establishment of liability. although it may be an important factor. the courts in England. and two. 1397 32 12 .L. It was held by the House of Lords that. British Pregnancy Advisory Service  1 W. In yet another case.the House should extend remedy to the beneficiary… by holding that the assumption of responsibility by the solicitor towards his client should be held liable in law to extend to the intended beneficiary who (as the solicitor can reasonably foresee) may. 207 Supra n-26 (Emphasis Supplied) 33  A. a 20 year old student was murdered by a miscreant who had committed number of similar offences in Yorkshire. have started fixing liability of the wrongdoer by recognizing that the issue of duty depends upon “Policy”—using that word in a broad sense as comprehending what is fair. “it would be contrary to public policy for negligence in detection of crime to give rise to liability against the police”. just and reasonable. (iv) Policy Considerations: Of late. indicates two situations: one that the geographical proximity between the parties is not of itself sufficient to establish liability.R. 53 34 Goodwill v. as a result of the solicitor‟s negligence. In Hill v. An action was brought against the police alleging that they had been guilty of negligence in failing to catch the miscreant and thereby prevent her murder. be deprived of his intended legacy in circumstances in which neither the testator nor his estate will have a remedy against the solicitor. A manufacturer of a poisonous tinned food is liable to the consumers of food although his product may be shipped to the other side of the world and be consumed months later.”31 (Emphasis Added) (iii) Proximity: The term apparently used by Lord Atkin32. Chief Constable of West Yorkeshire33.
but also he must be in breach of it. 13 . The House of Lords. or unusual creature. He acts in accord with general and approved practice. His conduct is guided by considerations 35 Supra n-25. in Blyth v. 206. case. Taylor has summarized the characteristics of the „reasonable man‟ according to which „he is not extraordinary. (Emphasis Supplied) Breach of Duty: The second important essential to hold the tortfeasor liable in negligence is that the defendant must not only owe a duty of care to the plaintiff. he is not a superhuman. he is not required to display the highest skill of which anyone is capable. Also see.‟ Rather „he is a person of normal intelligence who makes prudence a guide to his conduct. no duty of care is owed to a member of the indeterminately large class of women who might have sexual relations with the patient at some future time. He does nothing that a prudent man would not do and does not omit to do anything a prudent person would do. The test for deciding whether there has been a breach of duty was laid down in oft-cited dictum of Alderson B. he is not a genius who can perform uncommon feats. wherein it was held that “negligence is breach of duty caused by the omission to do something which a reasonable man.the remote possibility of fathering a child even if the operation is carried out competently and that duty to advise may extend to the current spouse or partner of the patient. Thus the claim was struck out as being manifestly unsustainable”. Trimbak Babu Godbole (1969) 1 S.”35 In the above definition of the breach of duty. the emphasis is on the conduct of a „reasonable man‟ which is a mythical creature of law whose conduct is the standard by which the Courts measure the conduct of all other persons and find it to be proper or improper in particular circumstances as they may exist from time to time. Birmingham Waterworks Co.R. nor is he possessed of unusual powers of foresight. or doing something which a prudent and reasonable man would not do. guided upon those considerations which ordinarily regulate the conduct of human affairs. in Arland v. would do. Laxman Balakrishna Joshi v. however.C.
got electrocuted thereby and received burn injuries. higher the magnitude of risk greater degree of standard of care would be needed. It was held that the defendant‟s servant was negligent in opening the cylinder and the defendant was held liable for consequences of such negligence. In Nirmala v. Kerala State Electricity Board v. for instance. the plaintiff who had only one healthy eye was blinded in the course of employment. i. who had the gas agency in Shimla. The cap of the cylinder being defective. 37  AC 367 14 . As a consequence of the fire.e. also. 1986 ACJ 998 wherein a minor boy came in contact with overhead electric wire which had sagged to 3 feet above the ground. some other family members received severe burn injuries and some property inside the house was destroyed by fire.36 In Bhagwat Sarup v. the plaintiff‟s husband while at work in his farm was electrocuted and died instantaneously as he came in contact with a live wire that had snapped. The Board was held liable for breach of its statutory duty. and (ii) the likelihood of the injury being in fact caused. See. Tamil Nadu Electricity Board case. Further there are two factors in determining the magnitude of risk.” Thus the standard of care to be in determining the breach of duty by the defendant. Holding the defendants liable in negligence. the court noted that the defendants have failed to ensure proper maintenance as a result wires snapped and further that they had failed to provide a device whereby the snapped wire would have automatically become dead and harmless. Suresh Kumar. So far as the magnitude of risk is involved. it may be noted that it depends from case to case. Himalaya Gas Co.. His conduct is the standard adopted in the community by persons of ordinary intelligence and prudence.which ordinarily regulate the conduct of human affairs. the courts are guided by an objective standard whose degree would vary from case to case. The Defendant‟s delivery man took a cylinder into the plaintiff‟s house. i. The Electricity Board had a duty to keep the overhead wire 15 feet above the ground. he tried to open it by knocking at the same with the axe. the plaintiff booked replacement of a cooking gas cylinder with the defendant. in Paris v. the plaintiff‟s daughter died. Some fire was already burning in the kitchen and the leaked gas caught fire. The plaintiff contended that the employers omitted to provide him with goggles and thus were in breach of their duty to take reasonable care of his safety because. This resulted in damage to the cylinder and leaking of gas therefrom.e. they must 36 AIR 1984 Mad 201. Stepney Borough Council37. (i) the seriousness or the gravity of the injury risked.
e. (1857) 11 Moo P. as a result of which the bus ran over the right arm of one of those boys. and does not satisfy the court that it was occasioned by the negligence or default of the other party. The initial burden of proof at least a prima facie 38 AIR 1982 Mad 104 Morgan v. 283 39 15 . the defendant would not be made liable. wherein the court observed that: “the party seeking to recover compensation for damage must make out that the party against whom he complains was in the wrong. This situation may be explained by a case decided by the House of Lords. three immature boys were riding a bicycle. The failure of the driver to stop the bus was held to be a clear case of negligence on his part. Karunanithi38.C. In this case. he cannot succeed. Reprint 2001 p.K. where some fault is attributed to the defendant.e. v.have known that the consequences of an accident to his good eye would be particularly disastrous. if the plaintiff fails to prove negligence on part of the defendant. st 1 Ed. and he must show that the loss is to be attributed to the negligence of the opposite party. The court held the defendant liable. 307 cited in R. The same may be seen in Madras High Court decision in Pandian Roadways Corp. On seeing some dogs fighting ahead.”39 (Emphasis Added) The above observation lays emphasis on the neglect of the defendant and imposes a duty upon the plaintiff to prove the causal linkage between negligent act and the damage. Bangia. The driver of a bus saw the boys falling but did not immediately apply the breaks. i. he leaves the case in even scales. 1969. they lost the balance and fell down. The burden of proof is clearly upon him. Sim. i. “Law of Torts” Allahabad Law Agency. However. the plaintiff must prove that the defendant was negligent. If at the end. Breach of Duty must have caused the Damage: The third and last essential of negligence is that the plaintiff is required to prove the causal connection between the breach of duty and the damage. to say that the burden of proof in such cases lies on the plaintiff.
The Chief Engineer stated that the collapse of the Clock Tower was due to thrust of the arches on the top portion and the mortar had deteriorated to such an extent that it was without any cementing properties. in order to claim benefit of the maxim res ipsa loquitor.case of negligence as against the defendant lies on the plaintiff. When the accident (defect in goods or deficiency in services) explains only one thing that the accident or such defect in goods/deficiency in service would not have occurred unless the defendant had been negligent. and (iii) That there is absence of explanation of the actual cause of the accident. However. In Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. The court. The doctors while performing a sterilization operation left the mop in the body of the patient which resulted in formation of puss and eventually leading to death subsequently. the Clock Tower at Chandani Chowk in Delhi. There is a presumption of negligence according to the maxim “Res Ipsa Loquitor” which means that „thing speaks for itself‟. The plaintiff. State of Maharashtra. on the basis of evidence came to a conclusion that „the mere fact that there was a fall of the Clock Tower tells its own story in raising an inference of negligence so as to establish a prima facie case against the appellants (the defendants). collapsed causing death of the plaintiff‟s husband. (ii) That accident must be such as would not in the ordinary course of things have happened without negligence. the law raises a presumption of negligence on the part of the defendant. has to meet three important requirements for its application: (i) That the “thing” causing the damage was in the control of the defendant or his servants. was found to be „exclusive by under the ownership and control of the appellant or its servants‟. Subhagwanti & Ors40. there are certain cases wherein the plaintiff need not prove that and the inference of negligence is drawn from the facts alleged by the plaintiff.41 the plaintiff‟s wife was hospitalized in a government hospital and was operated. Similarly in Acchutrao Haribhau Khodwa v. or agents. It was held that negligence was writ 40 41 (1974) 1 S C C 690 AIR 1996 SC 2377 16 .
it may be noted that existence of duty of care does not pose any serious difficulty in consumer cases as the cases are directly related to the service provided/or defective goods supplied. Charan Singh v. further that by July 1987. 1986 is one of the most important socioeconomic legislations for the protection of consumers. 1993 and 42 The Consumer Protection Act was enacted by Parliament in December 1986 and came into force on April 15. 1986. As discussed above. or a perfectionist but is a mythical creature which helps the courts in determining the want of standard of care on part of the defendant. The reasonable man is not a super.human. the plaintiff may not succeed in his action for damages. 1986 The Consumer Protection Act. However. Thus from the above it is clear that in order to make a successful claim in tort of negligence. The following paragraphs bring the sector-specific cases of negligence under Consumer Protection Act. 1987. social etc. Further that the alleged breach of duty must be legal and not moral. Salient Feature of Consumer Protection Act. But a beneficiary of services or user of a product may have to prove existence of duty towards him. Further that the plaintiff consumer will have to prove a causal linkage between the breach of duty and the damage suffered by him. it may be kept in mind that the standard of care is to be judged from the view of a reasonable man.42 It is said to be one of the most benevolent piece of legislation intended to protect a large body of consumers from exploitation.43 In the Act was amended in 1991. Healing Touch Hospital (2000) 7 SCC 668 17 . These essentials are equally significant while deciding consumer grievances either alleging deficiency in services or defects in goods. 43 See. Unless the damage is causally related to the breach of duty of the defendant. supply or sale of defective goods or deficient services resulting in damage to the consumers. This duty may arise by a negligent act in manufacture. all the provisions of the Act came into force.large and the surgeon performing that operation and the government were liable as res ipsa loquitor could be attracted. the plaintiff has to prove three broad essentials. The duty of care may accrue through various modes discussed above.
18 . A person is not a consumer if he purchases goods for commercial or resale purposes. However. or under any system of deferred payment. It includes any user of such goods other than the person who actually buys goods and such use is made with the approval of the purchaser. 1930. entertainment.44 Section 2 (1)(d) defines consumer in the following words: “Consumer of Goods—A consumer is one who buys or agrees to buy any goods for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised. The Act applies to all goods and services unless specifically exempted by the Central Government. However. financing. board or lodging or both. processing.2002 to extend its coverage and scope and to enhance the powers of the redressal machinery. amusement or the purveying a news or other information. Consumer of Services—One who hires or avails of any service or services for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised or under any system of deferred payment. by means of self employment.” So far as the buyer of goods for consideration is concerned. but does not include the 44 Section 2 (d) of the Act. supply of electrical or other energy. the Act does not define „goods‟ rather it imports the definition of “goods” as defined under the Sale of Goods Act. It includes any beneficiary of such service other than the one who actually hires or avails of the service for consideration and such services are availed with approval of such person. it does define the term “Service” under section 2 (1) (o) which is as under: “Service” means service of any description which is made available to potential users and includes the provision of facilities in connection with banking. So far no goods or services have been exempted from the purview of this Act. transport. the word „commercial‟ does not include use by consumer of goods bought and used by him exclusively for the purpose of earning his livelihood.
” The above definition of deficiency in service includes fault. nature and manner of performance of service. Any or all of the above situations would entitle a consumer to claim relief against the service provider. nature and manner of performance which is required to be maintained by or under any law for the time being in force or has undertaken to be performed by a person in pursuance of a contract or otherwise in relation to any service.” Since deficiency in service gives rise to a right to the consumer to bring an action against the service provider. Sector Specific Cases of Negligence Often the deficiency in service or defect in goods is the outcome of negligence of the service providers or the manufacturers. shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality. suppliers. a few important sectors wherein the problems are faced by the consumers have been discussed in the succeeding paragraphs. However. As the scope of this paper is limited to the tort of negligence and consumer protection. imperfection. it is important to understand the meaning of the term “deficiency” which has been defined under section 2(1) (g) to the following effect: “Deficiency” means any fault. 1986 and the telephone service has been held to be „service‟ 19 . from the above definitions it is clear that services availed free of charge do not come under the purview of this Act.rendering of any service free of charge or under a contract of personal service. The purchaser of goods for commercial or business purposes is also kept away from the purview of the Act. Thus the essentials of the tort of negligence remain important in consumer disputes. (i) The Telecom Sector Telephone sector has been included within the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act. shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality. producers of the goods. imperfection.
1986 and not under section 9 of the Indian Telegraph Act. II (1991) CPJ 296. Billing of telephone during the process of shifting of the telephone due to delay in disconnection of telephone after submission of application was considered to be deficiency in service. for details. 146 (W.for the same and also to give rebate in the telephone charges.D.C. Telecommunications. Om Prakash. the District Manager.P.J. III (1996) CPJ 552 (Punjab S. Calcutta. it has been held that if a telephone complaint remains unattended for an unreasonable period (sic six months) that amounts to deficiency in service.) 47 III (1991) CPJ 655 48 See. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Telecom District Manager. 296 50 Bhoj Raj Dalmia v. The District Manager. has held that the adjudicating authorities under the C. 1986.C.C. Also see. of Telephone.B.M. it is noted that complaint of any nature relating to telecommunication due to negligence of the telecommunication department is redressible under the Consumer Protection Act. G. 1986. From the above decisions. Telephones v.for the purpose of application of the provisions of this Act. 6. Niti Saran I (1991) C. 45 See.P.P.600/. Telephones. S. Mrs. Panaji v. In such a situation the telephone department has been held liable to pay compensation of Rs.C.P.P.R. 35 (NC). Deptt.C.D.) 51 III (1995) C.49 Also giving average bill or inflated bill50 due to negligence would attract the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act. as the claim was allowed in favour of the user of telephone although he was not a subscriber of the telephone.J. III (1996) CPJ 479 (Punjab S. Milk Producers Federation v. for Example. Telecommunications. Engineer Telecom v.A. II (1991) C. Liberate Fernandes51. Punjab State Corp. 48 Negligently disconnecting telephone even though the telephone bill was paid was held to be deficiency in service. It may be considered as a very progressive decision.J.D.R.) 49 Distt. II (1997)C. 48 (NC) 20 .45 or if there is undue delay in installation of telephone it would also amount to be the deficiency in service. District Manager.C.J.R. Vinod Karkare47. the plaintiff was awarded compensation for the loss suffered by him due to non-shifting of external extension of his telephone due to the negligence of the telecommunication department.46 In Mahanagar Telephone Nigam v. cannot adopt the formula of average calls of the previous bills for determining whether the disputed bill was excessive or not. 46 Telephone Jalandhar v. Mahaveer Electricals v. Thus if a consumer suffered loss in business due to non-shifting of the external extension of his telephone due to the negligence of the telecommunication department he would be awarded compensation for the same. It was also held that the remedy provided by the Commission is under the Consumer Protection Act.
Canara Bank.P. privatization and globalization. However. In Sankar v.00. III (1995) C.000/. Raveendran Reddy v. II (1991) C. 53 21 . Branch Manager. Vijaya Bank.000/in favour of a Co-Operative Society but the same was cleared by the bank.J. N. 1986.(ii) Banking/Financing Sector In this era of liberalization. 186 (Guj SCDRC). the customers are taken aback and have no option but to knock at the doors of the Consumer Forums using the benevolent piece of legislation. Also see. i.53 A complainant alleged that he had issued stop payment orders to the bank with respect to a cheque issued by him for a sum of Rs. the Consumer Protection Act. Punjab National Bank v. Balakrishnan v. 648 wherein a bank draft for Rs. 54 Harjivandas v.J. K.P. Mr.was dishonoured on the ground that it does not bear the signatures of two officials of the issuing bank and it was held to be a deficiency in service.P. the hidden charges are taken from the consumers when the repayment of loans is made. Manager. 218. II (1997) C. Dena Bank. the customers‟ cheques are dishonoured negligently or honoured when asked to stop payment of a cheque issued by the customer. State Bank of India. or the locker hired by the customer was found open and ornaments were found to be missing52. one lakh with interest @ 18% per annum from the bank. The free market economy has led to institution of multinational private banking institutions and other financing institutions.54 52 See.J. Some of these situations are explained with the help of the decided cases. This was considered to be a deficiency in service and the complainant was held entitled to compensation of Rupees.B. Easy loans and electronic banking on one hand has improved the life of the customers but on the other hand has put them in various kinds of difficulties due to deficiency in service provided by these sectors. the negligent dishonour of a cheque issued by the complainant was held to be deficiency in service and the compensation was awarded to the complainant.J.P. (the LPG). Also see.e. cheaply and at much lesser interest rates with no processing fee. 50. for example. 1. 137 (Kant SCDRC). Shetty. Branch Manager. there is a paradigm shift in the nature and scope of banking and financing sector. Besides. II (1991) CPJ 639 II (1996) C. Under these circumstances. The customers (consumers) are often cheated by various attractive offers floated by these banks while advancing loans to the customers. The traditional mode of banking has changed. loans can be advanced quickly.
The insured persons can claim compensation or any other appropriate remedy from the Consumer Forum for deficiency in service promised by the Insurance Company.. cattle and livestock. medi-claims. undue influence. Ltd. II (1991)CPJ 523 (A. The Oriental Insurance Co.(iii) Insurance Sector Insurance sector also has grown leaps and bounds in the wake of free market economy and increasing awareness amongst the consumers. National Insurance Company. coercive bargaining or compelled by circumstances and thus the opposite party was held liable and relief was awarded to the complainant by holding that „mere execution of discharge voucher would not deprive the consumer of his claim for deficiency of service‟. For example. United India Assurance Co. Also see. 56 Delay in settlement of insurance claims amounts to deficiency in service as held by the National Consumer Commission in Delkon (India) Pvt.P. SCDRC) 56 22 . etc. The customers often face problems in realizing their insurance claims in case of loss covered under the schemes. Ajmer Singh Cotton & General Mills. or rejecting the claims of nominees.55 The consumer forums would award relief under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act. so have the cases of deficiency in service erupted on the part of insurance companies. I (1991) CPJ 3 (NC) 57 III (1993) CPJ 313 (NC). or frauds committed by the company. or negligent breach of terms and conditions of insurance. educational insurance schemes etc. 1986 in case of a default or negligence in settlement of an insurance claim. J Sarveshwar Rao v. the customers. During the proceedings before the consumer authorities it was established that the discharge voucher was obtained by fraud. (1995) 6 SCC 400 Ummedilal Aggrawal v. „it was 55 United India Insurance v. As the number of schemes has grown. misrepresentation. children insurance. the complainant alleged that the discharge voucher was obtained by the opposite party from the complainant by fraud and thus he cannot be denied of the benefits of the insurance cover. Ltd. housing and house hold insurance schemes. Some of these situations may be explained with the help of decided case laws. right from the life insurance. As the insurance sector has launched different types of insurance schemes to the individuals.57 It was held by the National Commission that. Ltd. v. Also there is undue delay in settlement of claims.
Oriental Insurance Co. For example. III (1997) C.m. The Commission held that the nominee could legitimately maintain an action against deficiency in service raised by an arbitrary decision of the insurer. 198 (Orissa SCDRC) 23 .V. Nagraju v. if a train is scheduled to depart at 10:30 p. The argument of the insurance company was rejected by the National Commission and it was held that „as there was no such fundamental breach of terms that the owner should in all events be denied indemnification‟. In this case. As there were one or two more workers in vehicle at the time of accident. in case of railways. II (1996) C.P.59 it was held that a nominee under a policy of life insurance will be a „consumer‟ within the meaning of section 2(1) (d) of the Consumer Protection Act. 28 (NC).. if there is negligence on part of the consumer it would 58 See. (iv) Transport Sector Yet another very important sector is the transport sector which includes. without any satisfactory explanation as to delay in departure would amount to deficiency in service. (Emphasis Supplied) In one of the cases.deficiency of service to have delayed the claim by two years on the ground that the final police report was not forthcoming‟. 1986.m. cannot be said such a fundamental breach that the owner should in all events be denied indemnification. Ltd. in order to deny the claim of the assured person. 1986. actually leaves the other day at 09:00 a. Life Insurance Corporation. it was pleaded by the insurance company that there was a breach of the terms and conditions of the insurance contract and thus the assured cannot claim the benefit of insurance cover taken by him. It was further held that merely adding one or two persons by the driver or the cleaner of the vehicle without knowledge of the driver. B.J.J. wherein the terms of insurance contract permitted the insured vehicle to carry six workmen. simply because there were one or two members of workmen present in the vehicle it cannot be assumed that the risk of occurrence of accident has been increased. According to the Commission. Thus it may be said that the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act have really made a difference and saved the consumers from becoming prey to insurance companies. excluding the driver.P.58 In Jagdish Prasad Dagar v. the insurer decided to repudiate the liability which was communicated to the nominee without stating any reasons..60 However. Any deficiency in service provided by these sectors would attract the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.” (Emphasis Added) 59 II (1992) CPJ 493 60 Union of India v. Kedarnath Jena & Ors. the railways. road transport and airlines within its ambit.
the plane left at 9.45 a. and the complainant who reached the airport 9. the complainant purchased ticket for flight in Indian Airlines the time of departure was mentioned as 10. S. G. In the process of chewing the food the passenger‟s gum was injured. The opposite parties were held liable by the District Consumer Forum.64 there was cancellation of flight from Bangalore to Mangalore on 20.m.frustrate his claim under the Consumer Protection Act. III (1995) C.J. due to the strike called by technical and engineering staff of the opposite parties. 95 65 III (2002) CPJ 158 66 I (1992) CPJ 62 (NC) 67 (2004) 3 CPR 61 (NC) 63 24 . The State Commission was of the view that the complainant has no cause of action as there is no deficiency in service in such a case. Shah65. Chairman.J. Sinha. Dhanwanty v.R.11. Airport Authority of India.Ashok Kumar Singh.P.66 a metallic wire was found in the food served by the Airlines. cancellation of flight without notice and refusal to refund the amount was considered to be the deficiency in service. Lalchand case63. P. III (1997) C.G.N. 62 II (2004) CPJ 27 (NC) III (1995)C. M. in Chander Shekhar v. no deficiency in service was found on their part.P. As they were not negligent.61 In Sumathi Devi M. He was held entitled to a compensation of Rs. as a result the complainant missed his train. In Geetha Jethani v. In Indian Airlines v. Indian Airlines. These may be explained with the help of important case laws. 2000/. accordingly the complaint was dismissed.89 due to unavoidable reasons i.67 death of a child due to negligence of the airport authorities by improperly maintaining the 61 Union of India v. The Airlines may be liable for deficiency in service due to negligence by not informing about the cancellation of flights to the passengers or change in timing of the scheduled departure but not in cases of delay in operation. Southern Railways v.for the negligence on part of the opposite parties. Union of India. 233 (Orissa SCDRC) wherein the State Commission refused to award any remedy to a passenger whose train was announced to be running late by one hour but subsequently arrived in time.P.45 a.J. Nath.M. In Chief Commercial Officer. It was found to be the deficiency in service on the part of the Opposite Parties. M. However. missed his flight.J.m.20 a.e. 134 64 III (1995)C. Indian Airlines v.P. assaulted the passengers and took away the valuable forcibly. in Express Travels v. 13 (NC). However.m. 1986. Also see.62 the complainant alleged that unauthorized persons entered the compartment. But.
J. Kalasami Nadar v. the liability of the carrier is that of an insurer.P.escalator at the airport was held to be deficiency in service. Eswara Iyer & Sons. Messers MadrasBangalore Transport Co.L.71 In Associated Traders & Engineers Pvt. Delhi Cloth & General Mills Ltd. the carrier was held liable. K.” In other Madras decision in Messers Konda Rm. III (1995) C. damage or non-delivery of articles or goods entrusted to the carrier. Madurai v. 1983.P.K. Muniaswami Mudaliar & Ors69 it was held that “where loss has occurred to cotton bales in transit… the liability of the common carrier is not limited by a special contract. Kunnath Textiles. Best 68 See.72 a fire which broke out in a ponded warehouse where the goods were kept was held not to be an Act God and. In case of loss or damage he cannot plead that he has exercised all reasonable diligence and care. K. Also in R. Kerala Transport Co. “Because a common carrier is not a mere bailee of goods entrusted to him. He must be liable inspite of taking all due care and precautions. Jain v. the owner of goods in a suit against common carrier for loss. Ltd. therefore. but the complainant alleged that his religious sentiments have been hurt. 212 (Del DCDRC) AIR 1962 Mad 44 70 AIR 1964 Mad 516 71 For details. there may be special contract that the carrier may choose to enter into with the customer and the other is an „Act of God‟. Madurai & Ors.68 Transport of goods by road has also attracted number of consumer cases wherein the complainants have successfully claimed negligence on part of the carriage authorities.70. no compensation was allowed to the passenger. v. see. The opposite party tendered unconditional apology and as the mistake committed was not malicious or had resulted in any physical injury to the complainant. Sahara India Airlines. is not required to prove negligence. v.. he is an insurer of goods. In P. a passenger who was vegetarian was served with chicken curry due to negligence of the staff. & Ors. 480 72 ILR Delhi 1974 (1) 790 69 25 . Although there was no complaint of vomiting or food poisoning. In case of Nath Brothers Exim International Ltd v.” Thus the liability of the common carrier will be absolute in nature which is subject to two exceptions: one. it was held that the liability of a common carrier is not limited to negligence.T.
P.R. “Owner‟s Risk” in the realm of commerce has a positive meaning.D. 25 (SC).e. (1883) 12 Q.D. in Haryana State Electricity Board v. Poultry Farm. or fluctuation in voltage or by not maintaining properly the electric cables resulting in swapping /breakage causing death of human beings and animals. Instead of installing or replacing the damaged transformer an unjustifiable demand of Rs. T. (1991) 2 Lloyd‟s Report 391 (Q. Although in this case. 218. (The Fantasy). a consumer-friendly approach is taken by the courts and the common carrier‟s liability has been in absolute terms even though he would have taken all possible steps to prevent the loss or damage being caused. English. i. v. For example. the National Commission had held that the respondent‟s would not be liable as he had taken all possible care which was expected of him as carrier. which was paid to the Opposite Party but under protest. Exercise Shipping Co.) 26 . But the same was considered to be an incorrect approach by the Hon‟ble apex court. Thus it may be said that while handling the cases of loss or damage caused to the goods booked by the consumers through a common carrier. not changing transformer for number of days resulting in loss of livestock. The consumers may face deficiency in services by electricity sector in numerous ways. Also see. Ltd. Bay Maritime Lines Ltd.73.560/. 12.B.J. The electric transformer providing supply to the complainants‟ poultry farm got burnt and the same was not replaced for 25 days. 3080 birds died. food stuff and beverages etc. the complainant was having an electricity connection for his poultry farm. The 73 I (2000) C.was made from the complainant. it was pleaded that the goods were booked at “Owner‟s Risk” but it was clarified by the Hon‟ble Supreme Court that. (v) Electricity Sector Electricity sector attracts more number of consumer grievances than any other sector as it relates to consumers of every description. Burton v.Roadways Ltd. or due to defective electricity meter or by installing a totally unserviceable electric meter. para 29.B. It is understood in the sense that the carrier would not be liable for damage or loss to the goods if it were not caused on account of carrier‟s own negligence or the negligence of its servants and agents. As a consequence of the disrupted electricity supply to the poultry farm.
. 50. 2. 75.P. II (1997) CPJ 450 (West Bengal SCDRC) 75 27 . W. as service provider. 303 76 Gita Rani Chakraborty v. Thus the consumers are often found running pillar to post to get relief for no fault of theirs.J. Considering it to be the deficiency in service. Compensation of Rs.B.S. 12.P.and the National Commission75 directed the loss to be compensated. II (1996) C. Thus the scenario that emerges from this brief description is that the electricity sector.B.) See.to the complaint for loss of livestock. one of the noblest professions. There are instances wherein most incompetent or ill/under-educated doctors.000/.. is not immune to negligence which at times results in death of the patient or complete/partial impairment of limbs. H. disciplinary action was recommended against the Assistant Engineer concerned and also it was held that a bill on the basis of average consumption could not be raised.B.S. 1. 15 (N. A totally defective unserviceable meter was installed in the premises of the complainant which remained unserviceable for more than three years.560 and allowed compensation of Rs. Also in Gitarani case76 where the defective electricity meter was not replaced by the Opposite Party inspite of repeated reminders to them was held to be negligence and deficiency in service on the part of the Opposite Party.was awarded to the complainant for harassment and mental pain caused to him.000/.B v.E.74 Similarly.E. or culminates into another misery. whenever found to be negligent in providing services of any description. has been made liable under the dynamic consumer welfare legislation.was awarded by the National Commission to the respondent complainant. S.State Commission ordered the refund of Rs.C. on their own volition. (vi) Negligent Medical Services and Consumer Protection Our experience tells us that medical profession. have made prey the innocent 74 II (1996) C.J. illegally disconnecting electricity supply without prior notice to the complainant was held to be deficiency in service and the loss incurred to the complainant‟s mill due to non-supply of electricity was assessed at Rs.S. The decision of the State Commission was upheld by the National Commission and in addition a cost of Rs. the Consumer Protection Act. Naresh Kumar.000/. 1986.000/.
Professionals are subject to professional code and standards on matters of conduct and ethics. with reasonable competence in a given case. Although. the skill which he did profess. and needs a commitment to moral principles beyond the general duty of honesty. or two. that he did not exercise. The chief characteristics of any profession generally would include: that the nature of work is skilled & specialized. (iv) to attend to his patient when required and not to 77 Jacob Mathew v. The magnitude of negligence or deliberate conduct of the medical professionals has many a times led to litigation. (iii) to extend his service with due expertise for protecting the life of the patient and to stabilize his condition in emergency situations. either he was not possessed of the requisite skill which he professed to have. enforced by professional regulatory authorities and they enjoy high status and respect in the society. Medical profession is considered to be the most pious profession wherein a doctor is placed only second to almighty God because he renders humanitarian service. (ii) to exercise reasonable care in deciding whether to undertake the case and also in deciding what treatment to give and how to administer that treatment. doctors.77 Doctors generally have certain duties towards their patients. needless to mention that a person engaged in some particular profession is supposed to have the requisite knowledge and expertise needed for the purpose and he has a duty to exercise reasonable degree of care in the conduct of his duties. Professional Negligence In law of negligence. A professional may be held liable for negligence on one of the two findings: one. professionals such as lawyers. architects and others are included in the category of persons professing some special skill or skilled persons generally. The standard of care needed in a particular case depends on the professional skills expected from persons belonging to a particular class. substantial part is mental rather than manual. Some of the important duties include: (i) to exercise a reasonable degree of skill and knowledge and a reasonable degree of care. State of Punjab (2005) 6 SCC 1 28 .consumers patients. Though its objective is improvement of life of the people but it is also a science of uncertainty and the art of possibility at the same time.
a duty of care in deciding whether to undertake the case.--Duties owed to patient. whether he is a registered medical practitioner or not. (x) to inform the patient or his relatives the relevant facts about his illness. (xi) to keep secret the confidential information received from the patient in the course of his professional engagement. Negligence. (v) to study the symptoms and complaints of the patient carefully and to administer standard treatment.” 79 In a celebrated and oft-cited judgment in Bolam v.J. Such a person.I. Mc Nair. A person who holds himself out as ready to give medical advice or treatment impliedly undertakes that he is possessed of skill and knowledge for the purpose. L. Department of Consumer Affairs. 17-18 80 (1957) 2 All ER 118 29 .. and a duty of care in his administration of that treatment.K. pp.78 Medical negligence: Legally Construed Halsbury‟s Laws of England defines medical negligence as under: “22. and (xii) To notify the appropriate authorities of dangerous and communicable diseases. Govt of India in association with I. New Delhi. (viii) to obtain informed consent from the patient for procedures with inherent risks to life. (ix) to take appropriate precautionary measures before administering injections and medicines and to meet emergency situations. A breach of any of these duties will support an action for negligence by the patient.A. a duty of care in deciding what treatment to give.P. (vi) to carry out necessary investigations through appropriate laboratory tests wherever required to arrive at a proper diagnosis. 79 th 4 Edn. 7-8. observed that: “I must explain what in law we mean by „negligence‟. 2006. (vii) to advise and assist the patient to get a second opinion and call a specialist if necessary. reprint 2008. In the ordinary case which does not involve any special skill. Vol 26 pp. Consumer Protection Act and Medical Profession. Balachandran. owes him certain duties.withdraw his services without giving him sufficient notice. Friern Hospital Management Committee80. negligence in law means this: some failure to do some act which a reasonable man in the 78 M. who is consulted by a patient. namely.
Ministry of Health. 348. comparative negligence. concurrent negligence. collateral negligence. (1954) 2 All ER 131 82 30 . then the test as to whether there has been negligence or not is not the test of the man on the top of a Clapham omnibus. He is the ordinary man in the street…But where you get a situation which involves the use of some special skill or competence.circumstances would do. hazardous negligence.” Explaining further as to how to test whether the alleged act or failure is negligent and the answer given by the court is: “that in an ordinary case it is generally said. or the doing of some act which a reasonable man in the circumstances would not do. (1996) 4 SCC 332 at p.” 82 The sum and substance of above is that a medical professional is required to adhere to the standard of an ordinary skilled man exercising and professing to have that special skill and it would be a „disservice to the community at large if we were to impose liability on hospitals and doctors for everything that happens to go wrong‟. 83 See. then there is a cause of action. willful or reckless negligence or negligence per se. Ashwin Patel. continued negligence. that you judge that by the action of the man in the street. and if that failure or the doing of that act results in injury. Roe v. criminal negligence. gross negligence. active and passive negligence. …A man need not possess the highest expert skill at the risk of being found negligent.”81 (Emphasis Added) The apex court while considering the question of medical negligence in context of treatment of patient observed that “negligence has many manifestations—it may be active negligence.83 81 Ibid Poonam Verma v. because he has not got this man exercising and professing to have that special skill. It is a well established law that it is sufficient if he exercises the ordinary skill of an ordinary competent man exercising that particular art. para 42.
in case of a specialist.Reasonable Degree of Care In order to ascertain whether a reasonable degree of care has been taken or not by the doctor and accordingly hold him liable would largely depend upon the following considerations:  That whether the degree of care and competence which an ordinary competent member of the profession who professes to have those skills would exercise in the circumstances in question have been exercised or not. in the event of any deficiency in the performance of medical service the consumer courts can have the jurisdiction.  That the standard of care is constant while the degree of care is variable. the same standard of care is expected from a generalist and a specialist. G Jayaprakasu. However. the National Commission upholding the decision of Kerala State Commission had held that „a patient is a “consumer” and the medical assistance was a „service‟ and. P Narasimha Rao v. Nair v. Friern Hospital Management Committee (1957) 1 WLR 582 Dr. There may be one or more perfectly proper standards.84 A man need not possess the highest skill. AIR 1980 AP 207 31 . Smt. that is to say the concept of reasonable man becomes relevant here.85 Medical Profession: Whether under Consumer Protection Act? In one of the earliest significant ruling in Vasantha P. a higher degree of skill is needed. Nair. In the case of a medical professional.  The law will condemn the doctor when he falls short of the accepted standards of a great profession. It was further 84 85 Bolam v.e. and if it conforms with one of those proper standards then he is not negligent. V. it is sufficient if he exercises the ordinary competent man exercising that particular art. but the degree of care would be different.  The doctor would be guilty of negligence when he falls short of the standard of a reasonably skillful medical man. i. therefore. negligence means failure to act in accordance with the standards of competent reasonable man at the time. Thus a surgeon or a doctor will be judged by the standard of an average practitioner of class to which he belongs or holds himself out to belong.  Generally a doctor is not guilty of negligence if he acted in accordance with the practice accepted as proper by a responsible body of medical men skilled in that particular art.P.
J. In Indian Medical Association v.P. are entitled to seek damages under the Consumer Protection Act. (iii) a duty of care in deciding what treatment to give. the apex court has laid down 12 important principles stating the law with definite terms in this case.P. both medicinal and surgical. 1986. to exclude themselves from the purview of the Act. has made such a hue and cry. diagnosis and treatment. 1986 has come into force. The argument advanced by medical professionals against interference by the courts and consumer forums has been that on account of extensive judicial scrutiny. doctors would resort to defensive treatment which will escalate the medical costs and also make medical services inaccessible to many. Shantha and Ors. 1685 (Emphasis Supplied) (1969) 1 S. “a person (doctor) who holds himself out ready to give medical advice and treatment impliedly undertake that: (i) he is possessed of skill and knowledge for that purpose. Act. would fall within the ambit of “service” as defined in section 2(1) (o) of the C. 87 32 . like. the apex court has stated that. 206 88 AIR 1996 SC 550.‟86 In Laxman Balakrishna Joshi v.P. accountants.R.P.  The fact that medical practitioners belong to medical profession and are subject to disciplinary control of the Medical Council of India and. the apex court has put an end to this controversy and has held that patients aggrieved by any deficiency in treatment. V. although unsuccessfully. lawyers. the courts in India on one hand have vehemently rejected this argument but at the same time have also clearly stated that doctors are not the guarantors of life. However.observed that the medical officer‟s service was not a personal service so as to constitute an exception to the application of the Consumer Protection Act. Further a breach of any of these duties would give a right of action for negligence to the patient. 86 I (1991) C. Act. from both private clinics and Government hospitals. the medical professionals have been up in arms. engineers. architects.88. or the State Medical Councils would not exclude the service rendered by them from the ambit of C. No other professional. Trimbak Babu Godbole.C. or (iv) a duty of care in the administration of that treatment. A few important principles laid down in this case include:  Service rendered to a patient by a medical practitioner (except where the doctor renders service free of charge to every patient or under a contract of personal service) by way of consultation. (ii) he owes a duty of care in deciding whether to undertake the case.87 Ever since the Consumer Protection Act.
 The service rendered by a doctor was under a contract for personal service rather than a contract of personal service and was not covered by the exclusionary clause of the definition of service contained in the C. and a very high degree of negligence is required to be proved before the felony is established. Explaining the difference between the two. viz. what legally constitutes medical negligence. what is the criterion to determine medical negligence as a crime etc. Director Public Prosecution. under the criminal law.Act. significance of consent in fixation of liability. stated: “… Simple lack of care such as will constitute civil liability is not enough for purposes of the criminal law there are degrees of negligence.P.  The hospitals and doctors cannot claim it to be a free service if the expenses have been borne by an insurance company under medical care or by one‟s employer under the service conditions. From the above judgment two things are clear: one that medical service is a service within the ambit of the C. Lord Atkin in his speech in Andrews v. at times. there are a few other grey areas which need our attention at this juncture. But often it is alleged by the plaintiffs that negligence is negligence and that no distinction can be drawn between the two so far as it relates to breach of his duty and resultant damage. and two that services rendered free of charge are excluded from the purview of the C. Act.P. Negligence—a Civil Wrong or a Criminal Offence The term negligence is used for the purpose of fastening the defendant with liability under civil law (the law of torts) and. whether medical negligence is a tort per se or a crime or both.”89 Thus for negligence to be an offence. However.  A service rendered free of charge to everybody would not be service as defined in the Act. These aspects are discussed in the succeeding paragraphs.P. Act. the element of mens rea (guilty mind) must be shown to exist and the negligence should be gross or of very high 89 (1937) 2 All ER 552 (HL) 33 .
Interference.C should be qualified by the word „grossly‟. Deprivation of liberty constitutes false imprisonment. plain and incontestable. “the expression „rash and negligent act‟ occurring in section 304-A of the I. has explained that.P. 10 Edn. Suresh Gupta v. A clear distinction exists between “simple lack of care” incurring civil liability and “very high degree of negligence” which is required in criminal cases. …mere inadvertence or some degree of want of adequate care and caution might create a civil liability but would not suffice to hold him criminally liable. State of Karnataka. State of Punjab.C. Charlesworth & Percy on Negligence. the view which favors the accused shall be adopted because in criminal law. (ii) battery. but in criminal proceedings the persuasion of guilt must amount to such a moral certainty as convinces the mind of the court. wherein the court explaining distinction between civil and criminal liability held that „for fixing criminal liability on a doctor or surgeon the standard of negligence required to be proved should be so high as can be described as gross negligence of recklessness. Govt. (Syed Akbar v. the proof. 34 . of N. Trespass to the person may take three forms—(i) assault. To prosecute a medical professional for negligence under criminal law it must be shown that the accused did something or failed to do something which in the given facts and circumstances no medical professional in his ordinary senses and prudence would have done or failed to do.13. Dr. para 1. Also there is a marked difference as to evidence. viz. of Delhi. A battery is said to be committed when there is an actual infliction of an unlawful physical contact with the plaintiff (the patient). as a reasonable man beyond all reasonable doubt. is that every person‟s body in inviolate. Also see. The apex court in Jacob Mathew v.”91 From the above it may be inferred that the distinction between civil and criminal liability in medical negligence lies in the conduct of the doctor which should be of gross or reckless or of a very high degree and that where two views are possible relating criminal liability of the offender (the doctor). and the defendant is not necessarily entitled to the benefit of every reasonable doubt. The hazard taken by the accused doctor should be of such a nature that the injury which has resulted was most likely imminent. para 28 refers) (Emphasis in Original) 91 (2005) 6 SCC 1. a mere preponderance of probability is sufficient.T. In civil proceedings. it is the duty of the prosecution to prove the guilt beyond reasonable doubt which is not the case in civil liability.” (Emphasis Added) 92 „Assault‟ as a tort is committed where the plaintiff is caused to apprehend the immediate infliction of such a contact. and (iii) false imprisonment.92 An act does not constitute trespass to person 90 th See. AIR 2004 SC 4091. negligence or recklessness must be of such a high degree as to be held „gross‟.90 In Criminal law. however slight with person‟s body constitutes trespass to the person.degree. 2001. Informed Consent: How Significant? The fundamental principle. in civil and criminal proceedings. (1980) 1 SCC 30.
The patient suffered with HIV-AIDS after three and a half year 93 94 See. no medical procedure may be undertaken without patient‟s consent obtained after the patient has been provided with sufficient information to evaluate the risks and benefits of the proposed treatment and other available options.94. alternative methods of treatment with their relative risks and benefits and known material risks of procedure. the patient may be required to undergo surgery or other investigations wherein his consent would be expressly needed. Under this doctrine. so transfused. were not tested for contamination. the complainant approached to the defendant hospital with abdominal pain and was advised to undergo hysterectomy for which the consent was obtained from the complainant. Sri Gokulam Hospital & Anr.unless it is done deliberately or negligently. investigated and treated. The law emphasizes on informed consent which signifies that the consent of the patient should be obtained after disclosure of information regarding the diagnosis. 72 OR (2d) 417 in Ontario Court of Appeal III (2007) CPJ 228 (NC) 35 .93 In M. Malette v. and will be liable in battery even though the procedure was performed with a high degree of skill and actually benefited the patient. The blood units. Shulman. However. It may be further noted that the doctor who performs a medical procedure without having first furnished the patient with the information needed to obtain an informed consent will have infringed the patient‟s right to control the course of his/her medical care. it may be pointed out that soon the patient visits a doctor. Thus failure to obtain consent from the patient for administering particular kind of treatment or investigation might incur liability in trespass to person. The doctrine of informed consent has developed in law as the primary means of protecting a patient‟s right to control his or her medical treatment. But at times. Chinnaiyan v. However. the complainant suffered from bleeding of uterus as a result two units of blood was transfused after the operation. it is deemed that the patient has impliedly consented for being examined. The doctrine presupposes the patient‟s capacity to make a subjective treatment decision based on his/her understanding of the necessary medical facts provided by the doctor and on his/her assessment of own personal circumstances.
These are discussed below: Therapeutic Privilege: A doctor can invoke protection of therapeutic privilege for non-disclosure in non elective treatment.P. 96 36 . or signatures are taken from patient/relative in mechanical fashion. One of the most forward-looking decision of the National Commission in Dr. Consumer Protection Act and Medical Profession. the nature of proposed treatment and alternative methods of treatment and as such the doctor can withhold the information with immunity from liability. 28.I. New Delhi. the doctor may exercise this privilege. Govt of India in association with I. Sharma & Anr. It was noted that the consent of the patient was required for transfusion of blood... i. S. in such cases. has further strengthened the necessity of informed consent. v.K. much in advance of the date scheduled for surgery. 2006.e. „where informed consent is taken on the printed form without any specific mention about the name of the surgery.A. However.of the transfusion and died. where there is no choice to the patient but to opt for it. Waiver: A patient may repose his confidence on a doctor and request him not to disclose any information to him. it cannot be extended to an elective treatment or a non-life threatening treatment like sterilization operation i.96 95 IV (2007) CPJ 131 (NC) (Emphasis Added) M. one that is essential from a therapeutic point of view. such forms cannot be considered as informed consent. in which case the doctor may get a privilege of withholding information. p. Emergency: In circumstances of great urgency warranting immediate treatment to save the life of a patient and there is no time to disclose the risks. one that a patient is free to choose. The hospital was held liable. Sathy M Pillai & Anr.95 (Emphasis Added) However. reprint 2008.e. Balachandran. there are certain exceptions to the requirement of informed consent. Department of Consumer Affairs. if the doctor believes on a reasonable assessment of the patient‟s condition that the disclosure will be detrimental to the patient‟s health. It was clear from the records that the complainant had given consent only for hysterectomy operation and not for transfusion of blood. It was held that.
The apex court coming heavily on the erring doctors held that.The informed consent. “the law recognizes the dangers which are inherent in surgical operations and that will occur on occasions despite the exercise of reasonable skill and care but a mistake by a medical practitioner which no reasonably competent and a careful practitioner would have committed is a negligent one. Recent Judicial Trends in Medical Negligence In A.97 an irreparable damage was done to the eyes of some of the patients who were operated at an eye camp organized by the government of Uttar Pradesh. is either expressly not take or if taken. Some of the patients who underwent surgery could never see the light of the day. without informing the patient or his relatives about its necessity and even at times consent taken for different purposes and different treatment/tests are conducted making person of an individual a laboratory. But the Punjab State Commission did not give relief to the complainant who has undergone sterilization operation in the Punjab Government Hospital free of charges and became pregnant subsequently and gave birth to a child.e. even though mandatory legal necessity. whatever little vision they had even that was lost. i.e. as and when such cases are brought to the forums/courts. III (1997) CPJ 394 (Punjab SCDRC) 37 . Most important contribution of this decision is that even though service rendered free of charge does not come under the purview of the Consumer Protection Act yet the court went a step ahead in recognizing that although no direct charges were paid by the patients but the State had paid on behalf of the patients to the doctors engaged in the free eye camp.Mittal v.98 (Emphasis in Original) 97 98 AIR 1989 SC 1570 See. Paramjit Kaur v. i. it is through a mechanical process. The State Commission was of the view that the complainant was not a consumer because services offered were free of charge.” The compensation was awarded. State of UP.S. what has been the approach of the forums/courts is discussed below. However. State of Punjab.
99 the court upheld the decree awarding damages for medical negligence on account of the lady having given birth to an unwanted child due to failure of sterilization operation because it was found on facts that the doctor had operated only the right fallopian tube and had left the left fallopian tube untouched. The patient was informed that the operation was successful and was assured that she would not conceive a child in future. Shiv Ram100 . in State of Haryana v. However. It is submitted that it would have been better had 99 (2000) 5 SCC 182 (2005) 7 SC 1 101 AIR 1996 SC 2377 102 AIR 1996 SC 2111 100 38 . the operating surgeon or his employer cannot be held liable on account of the unwarranted pregnancy or unwanted child. He defied all sense of logic and forgot his ethics. reflects yet another reckless act on part of the doctor.‟ Facts of Achutrao Hari Bhau Khodwa v. Ashwin Patel102. Failure due to natural causes. that “merely because a woman having undergone a sterilization operation becoming pregnant and delivering a child thereafter. bring a different kind of negligence exhibited by the doctors. no method of sterilization being fool proof or guaranteeing 100% success. A case of medical negligence was found and a decree for compensation in tort was held justified.3% to 7% depending on the technique chosen out of several recognized and accepted ones. State of Maharashtra101. The doctor was grossly negligent and in clear breach of duty as a doctor.” The court after referring to several books on Gynecology and empirical researches concluded that „authoritative text books on gynecology and empirical researches recognize the failure rate of 0. the apex court has explained in State of Punjab v. In this case it was alleged that a mop was left in the body of the patient which resulted in the formation of pus and eventually leading to her death. Poonam Verma v. The court held that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor is clearly applicable and the State is liable to pay compensation for the negligence of the doctors. would not provide any ground for a claim of compensation. In this case a doctor who was registered as a medical practitioner and was entitled to practice in homoeopathy was found to be guilty of negligence for prescribing allopathic medicines resulting in the death of the patient.Further. Santra.
vs.the doctor been prosecuted under criminal negligence as he violated section 15(3) of the Medical Council Act. No efforts were made to clear blocked airways by the doctor as he did not appreciate properly the course of action to be followed in such case. In such cases. P.000/. His conduct also amounts to actionable negligence for having failed to take due care as indicated in earlier Supreme Court decision in Dr. v.) & Ors. & Ors. Laxman Joshi case103.e. N. 1956.105 wherein allopathic treatment was given by nonmedical practitioner specialized in Unani System. 3. it is seen that the complainants have requested the relief which is not given under the Consumer Protection Act. Manvinder Kaur (Dr. The claim of the appellant was decreed as against the defendant for Rs. the Hospital was held liable for allowing unqualified person treat complicated and emergency cases. it cannot be granted under section 14 of the Consumer Protection Act. in Parmod Grover & Ors. The relief was denied to the complainant as. (Emphasis Added) In certain cases. The Opposite Party.104 another matter came before the National Commission in Prof.106. After more than a decade of the decision in Poonam Verma case. according to the court. The patient died due to choking of air passage.. complications during pregnancy resulted in death of the patient. The complainant alleged medical negligence and claimed relief in the form of permanently restraining and debarring Opposite Parties from practicing medical profession and cancellation of their medical certificates. Hans Charitable Hosp. For example. 103 AIR 1969 SC 128 supra n-103 105 II (2007) CPJ 340 (NC) 106 II (2007) CPJ 63 (NC) 104 39 . the courts/forums have refrained to award remedies so claimed.. Thakur & Anr.00. i. 1986. 1986. Similarly direction regarding closure of OP nursing home was also not allowed under section 14 of CPA with a direction that the complainant is at liberty to approach civil court. The patient suffered from fever and repeated bleeding from nose which resulted in rigors in patient as a result of which his condition deteriorated. A small nasal pack was placed anteriorly.
Thus wife of the complainant was considered to be the consumer under the CPA 1986. the appellant was insured with the ESI Corporation and deductions were made from his salary by the employer and deposited with the ESI Corpn. Doctors and hospitals would fall within the ambit of the expression “service”. see. The appellant‟s wife was admitted in ESI dispensary at Sonepat for treatment of diabetes.I Corporation108.P.Doctors and hospitals would clearly fall within the ambit of “service”.S. V. where her condition deteriorated and who later was examined in a private hospital.” (iii) The three categories: (a) Where services are free of charge to everybody . The Supreme Court in revision petition held that „services rendered by medical practitioners of hospitals / nursing homes run by ESI Corporation cannot be regarded as service rendered free of charge since sections 39 and 42 of the ESI Act contemplate contributions from both the employer and the employee. (iv) In complaints involving complicated issues requiring recording of evidence of experts. some of the directions include: (i) a medical insurance policy beneficiary of the service for which payment has been made by the insurance company consumer. The appellant alleging deficiency in service filed a complaint under CPA. E.Doctors and hospitals are outside the purview of “service” under Act. Shantha107 is considered to be the landmark judgment as it has not only widened the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act by stating that the Medical practitioners are not immune from a claim for damages on the ground of negligence but also have issued several directions of immense significance for ensuring welfare of the consumers. Supra n-71. such cases can be disposed of by the consumer courts. (v) Where the deficiency in service is due to the obvious faults such as removal of the wrong limb or the performance of the operation on a wrong patient or giving injection of a drug to which the patient is allergic without looking into the outpatient card containing the warning or use of wrong gas during the course of an anesthetic or leaving inside the patient swabs or other items of operating equipment after the surgery. the complainant can be asked to approach the Civil Court for appropriate relief as provided under Section 3 of the Act. (b) Where charges are required to be paid by everybody. There it was found that she was wrongly diagnosed at ESI dispensary. In Kishori Lal v. persons who are rendered free service are the “beneficiaries” and as such come within the definition of “Consumer”. (c) Where charges are required to be paid by persons availing the services but certain categories of persons who cannot afford to pay are rendered service free of charge. 108 II (2007) CPJ 25 (SC) 40 . (ii) the relationship between the doctor and a patient carries with it certain degree of mutual confidence and trust and therefore the services of personal nature but no relationship of master and servant contract between them cannot be treated as a “contract of personal service” but a “contract for services. 107 For details. which can be deemed to be fee for the service.Indian Medical Association v.
The negligence to be established by prosecution must be culpable or gross and not the negligence based upon the error of judgment.  Negligence cannot be attributed to a doctor so long as he performs his duties with reasonable skill and competence.  A medical practitioner would be liable only where his conduct fell below that of the standards of a reasonably competent practitioner in his field. scrutinizing the cases of medical negligence both in India and abroad specially that of the United Kingdom has laid down certain basic principles to be kept in view while deciding the cases of medical negligence. Dalveer Bandari..In one of the most recent decision in Kusum Sharma v.  The medical professional is often called upon to adopt a procedure which involves higher element of risk. Merely because the doctor chooses one course of action in preference to the other one available. „while deciding whether the medical professional is guilty of medical negligence „the following well-known principles must be kept in view110: 109 110  Negligence is the breach of a duty exercised by omission to do something which a reasonable man. (2010) 3 SCC 480 ibid para 89 41 . guided by those considerations which ordinarily regulate the conduct of human affairs.  It would not be conducive to the efficiency of the medical profession if no doctor could administer medicine without a halter round his neck. Just because a professional looking to the gravity of illness has taken higher element of risk to redeem the patient out of his/her suffering which did not yield the desired result may not amount to negligence. would do. J. Batra Hospital109. but which he honestly believes as providing greater chances of success for the patient rather than a procedure involving lesser risk but higher chances of failure.  In the realm of diagnosis and treatment there is scope for genuine difference of opinion and one professional doctor is clearly not negligent merely because his conclusion differs from that of the other professional doctor.  The medical professional is expected to bring a reasonable degree of skill and knowledge and must exercise a reasonable degree of care. he would not be liable if the course of action chosen by him was acceptable to the medical profession. Neither very highest nor a very low degree of care and competence judged in the light of the particular circumstances of each case is what the law requires. the Hon‟ble Supreme Court has settled the law relating medical negligence.  Negligence is an essential ingredient of the offence. According to the court. or doing something which a prudent and reasonable man would not do. Mr.
they cannot be held guilty of medical negligence. As long as the doctors have performed their duties and exercised an ordinary degree of professional skill and competence.e.” The court further adds a word of caution by stating that. 112 42 .  The medical practitioners at times have to be saved from such a class of complainants which use criminal process as a tool for pressurizing the medical professionals/hospitals. On one hand. It is imperative that the doctors must be able to perform their professional duty with free mind. by laying down eleven principles for determining the breach of duty by medical professionals/hospitals. these principles provide adequate protection to the doctors and hospitals provided they have exercised a „reasonable degree of care which is neither the highest nor a very low degree 111 Supra n-94. the aforementioned principles must be kept in view while deciding the cases of medical negligence.” 111 (Emphasis in Original) The above listing of „basic principles‟ with a direction that „they must be kept in view while deciding the cases of medical negligence‟ reflects the judicial attitude of the hon‟ble apex court. Such malicious proceedings deserve to be discarded against the medical practitioners. but went a step ahead by observing that.112 Thus the above principles must be taken as „law of the land on medical negligence‟. para 90 Article 141 reads: “Law declared by the Supreme Court shall be binding on all courts within the territory of India”. The court did not rest the case here. It is our bounden duty and obligation of the civil society to ensure that medical professionals are not unnecessarily harassed or humiliated so that they can perform their professional duties without fear and apprehension.  The medical professionals are entitled to get protection so long as they perform their duties with reasonable skill and competence and in the interest of the patients. “In our considered view. The interest and welfare of the patients have to be paramount for the medical professionals. “We should not be understood to have held that doctors can never be prosecuted for medical negligence. It may be noted that any decision. i. particularly private hospitals or clinics for extracting uncalled for compensation. judgment passed by the Supreme Court becomes law of the land and is automatically binding on all other lower courts in the country by virtue of Article 141 of the Constitution of India.
e. it becomes difficult for the plaintiff to prove the same.e. On the other hand. i. i. the courts invoke the doctrine of „res ipsa loquitor‟ and reduce the burden of the plaintiff. This decision would benefit both the parties. in certain cases. i. and the damage caused as a result of the breach of the duty.‟ They give free hand to the doctors to choose from various available alternate courses of treatment/diagnosis. The law of torts. they did provide that „the medical practitioner would be liable only where his conduct fell below of the standards of a reasonably competent practitioner‟. the best course of action which is in the interest and well-being of the patient (consumer). Error in judgment in prescribing treatment so long as it is within the prescribed medical standards should not incur unnecessary liability to the doctor/hospital. The law relating negligence as a tort is very well developed and is capable to meet newer kinds of cases because the emphasis of negligence as a tort is on D. Conclusions Thus. The 43 . when no other legal remedy is available under any law time being in force. Breach of duty by defendant.D formula.e. Duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff. The courts have developed tests for determining the existence of duty of care. careless or negligent performance of professional duty on their part shall definitely hold them liable in negligence. The breach of duty is determined on the basis of act or omission alleged against the defendant and at times. the doctors/hospitals shall not be put to unnecessary harassment and at the same time any casual. The judgment is likely to ensure welfare of consumers. where the negligence is prima facie so blatant or apparent.of care and competence judged in the light of the particular circumstances of each case. the tortiuous remedies may be invoked. However.B. providing for a residuary remedy. the journey of writing of this paper has given several lessons of seminal importance. Ultimately the doctors are not the insurers of life. Also the decision is progressive in nature as it provides a safetynet to the medical professionals against unnecessary harassment and humiliation which will allow them to perform their duties without fear and apprehensions and would save them from undue pressure for extracting uncalled for compensation.
the balance is struck by resorting to the principles of justice. This paper has examined certain sector-specific cases to take an account of the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act vis-à-vis the tort of negligence. viz. In deciding such cases the essentials of the tort of negligence have predominantly occupied the minds of the courts. progressive and welfare oriented law has brought sea-change in protecting consumers against deficiency in service. 44 . easier and cheaper remedy. expenses incurred. it may be pointed out that law of torts. But ever since the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act. Also in certain cases it becomes difficult for the plaintiff to prove that the damage has a causal linkage with the alleged breach of duty. here in this context. i. 1986. The provisions of this Act are in addition to and not in derogation of any other law time being in force which means that alternate remedy if available may also be claimed by the consumers under other law than the C. unless the consequences are too remote to be determined. The types of difficulties faced in various sectors have been examined in detail and it is noted that tortiuous solutions of consumer grievances did not fade. It has been found that most of the cases have resulted due to negligence.last essential of the tort of negligence is the „damage‟. be it deficiency in service or defect in goods. Although there were certain difficulties in seeking remedy from the regular civil courts.e. the tortiuous remedies were available to the consumers. the time taken by the courts. When it comes to the relation between Law of Torts and consumer protection. when there was no Consumer Protection Act.e. there is a remedy. „injuria sine damage‟ which means violation of legal right without causing damage. a most dynamic. meaning thereby where there is a right. a judge-made law or court developed law has always been responsive to the „injuria‟ (legal injury) and moved on the principles on „ibi jus ubi remedia‟. equity and good conscious by the Hon‟ble courts. Thus the damage. etc. It has been noted that „damage‟ in context of the law of torts is expressed by the legal maxim. defect in goods and claiming quicker. by the consumers for getting remedy. In such cases. means legal injury with or without any physical harm. i.P. Act. This maxim used in the context of consumer protection is self explanatory.
(2005) 6 SCC 1 115 Kusum Sharma v. The journey of the law relating medical negligence has not been smooth. V. Jacob Mathew114 and Kusum Sharma115. This inconsistency leads to uncertainty in the minds of the defrauded consumers and make them little complacent about exercising their rights owing to apprehensions of their success at doorsteps of consumer forums/courts. there is a need to have a settled legal position in other sectors as well so far as it relates to the consumer protection in India. Shantha113.As the last part of this paper has been devoted to deal with the cases of medical negligence and consumer protection.P. State of Punjab. * * * * * * 113 Indian Medical Association v. AIR 1996 SC 550 Jacob Mathew v. (2010) 3 SCC 480 114 45 . But for V.P. the approach adopted by the courts/forums has shown inconsistency. Shantha. requiring thereby higher degree of skill and care to be exercised by the medical professionals. Batra Hospital. it is noted that the professional negligence has been put on a higher pedestal. cases. Thus it is submitted that as the law on medical negligence appears to have been settled by the Hon‟ble apex court.
Reprint 2001. Provinces of Law of Tort (1931). 46 . Govt..  Dr. 2006. Ninth Edn.P.  R. 2003.  Williams and Hepple. Balachandran. 2nd ed. Consumer Protection Act and Medical Profession. Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort. Reprint 2008. Allahabad Law Agency. “Law of Torts”. International Student Edition.K. Laxminath and M Sridhar.I. Winfield.  A.  M. 1998. New Delhi. 1st Edn. 1956 Books  WHV Rogers. 1986  The Sale of Goods Act. Department of Consumer Affairs.K. LexisNexis Butterworths. Bangia. 1930  The Medical Council Act.A. Sweet & Maxwell. Foundations of the Law of Tort. Ramaswamy Iyer‟s The Law of Torts.References (i) (ii) Statutes  The Constitution of India  The Consumer Protection Act. of India in association with I.
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