A missed pregnancy diagnosis leads to a ₹30 lakh compensation demand, and in the regrettable incident, it’s not only just the patient’s life that changes, but it’s the doctor’s world as well that turns upside down. That’s exactly what happened in January 2025, when a respected urologist from Maharashtra found himself at the center of a legal storm. The reason? A twin pregnancy was missed during an ultrasound, and a hormone prescription nearly cost him his career.
A Common Error, an Uncommon Price
The doctor had been treating a woman for infertility for over seven years. On a routine visit, he diagnosed her as “not pregnant” based on her medical history and a scan that didn’t show anything abnormal. He prescribed Tab. Deviry 10mg, a hormonal medicine routinely used for cycle regulation. What he didn’t know, and didn’t confirm, was that she was already six weeks pregnant with twins.
Days later, the patient experienced severe abdominal pain. A second consultation revealed the pregnancy, and with that, accusations of gross negligence, emotional distress, and medical malpractice followed, a legal notice demanding ₹30 lakh from the doctor.
When a Doctor Becomes a Defendant
For any medical professional, this is the nightmare scenario, and India’s healthcare sector and professionals are witnessing a surge in the negligence complaint ratio in two decades. A patient’s trust turns into a courtroom battle. In this case, a moment’s decision becomes a career-defining mistake. Despite the doctor’s years of service and honest intent, he was now being held responsible for emotional and physical harm. The legal system doesn’t weigh intention, only outcomes.
The patient accused him of skipping the most basic step: a pregnancy confirmation test. The medication he prescribed was contraindicated in pregnancy. And while the scan was inconclusive, the responsibility fell squarely on him.
Legal Fees Doctors Aren’t Trained to Handle
Worse still, the doctor wasn’t represented by a panel advocate. In desperation, he hired a private lawyer, one with experience in sensitive medico-legal cases, and the cost of that lawyer? ₹1,00,000. For most insurance policies, that’s a red flag. Legal fees that high are often rejected outright, especially when they fall outside approved networks.
At that point, Doctor wasn’t just battling a case; he was battling the system.
This Is Where CoverYou Came In
At CoverYou, we didn’t see a number, but a professional at risk of losing his reputation. From the moment the doctor reached out to us on 31 January, our team jumped into action. We reviewed every document, every prescription, every ultrasound note. We didn’t just file a claim, we built a case for why this advocate fee, however unusual, was justified.
- We highlighted the urgency of the matter.
- We explained the complexity of the legal allegations, particularly the accusation of scope-of-practice violation.
- We submitted a clear, written justification and followed up with the insurer every step of the way.
It wasn’t as easy as ICICI Lombard initially flagged the amount. But our persistence paid off. On 10 June 2025, they agreed to process the full amount of ₹1,00,000, settled in full.
Why This Case Matters for Every Doctor in India
If you’re a healthcare professional today, your medical judgment is constantly under scrutiny, not just by your peers, but by legal teams, patients’ families, and courtroom experts. One missed test or misread scan. That’s all it takes to land you in a battle that textbooks never prepared you for. This isn’t about blaming doctors, but it’s about supporting them when the system turns cold. This doctor’s case isn’t rare. What’s rare is what happened next: this insurance partner didn’t abandon him.
What This Case Proves
1: Even non-panel advocates can be covered, if the case is made right.
2: A ₹1,00,000 legal fee can be settled if escalated with facts and intent.
3: Not all insurance is created equal; only a few stand when things get uncomfortable.
For the Brand Like CoverYou: More Than Insurance
At CoverYou, we believe defending doctors isn’t a task, but it’s a responsibility. Our goal isn’t to process paperwork. It’s to protect the people behind the practice. In this case, that meant going beyond limits, standing our ground, and getting the right outcome, not the easy one.
Conclusion
The doctor walked into 2025 thinking it would be another year of helping patients. He didn’t know he’d end up fighting for his name, his license, and his reputation. But he didn’t have to fight alone. If you’re a doctor reading this today, ask yourself, if this were you, who would be standing beside you? When the system closes in, CoverYou doesn’t look away. We look deeper. Because protecting every doctor in India isn’t a job, it’s our mission.
