In November 2023, an anesthesiologist based in Delhi found herself at the center of a critical medico-legal case after a patient tragically passed away due to an alleged overdose of anesthesia. The incident occurred during a routine regional anesthesia procedure, specifically a left interscalene block. Though the surgery was considered standard, the patient’s sudden death raised serious questions about the events inside the operating theater. The case resurfaced in February 2025 when the insured doctor was served a legal notice by the patient’s family. CoverYou was contacted immediately, and swift legal intervention was initiated to protect the doctor’s legal rights and professional standing.
Incident Overview
The patient had first reported to the emergency department on November 2, 2023, and was scheduled for surgery on November 6. The procedure involved administering regional anesthesia, a left interscalene block, commonly used for upper limb surgeries. According to medical records, all preoperative checks indicated the patient was fit for surgery, and the procedure was carried out with standard safety protocols in place.
However, the situation took a turn when the patient passed away approximately 2.5 hours after entering the OT. The post-mortem report revealed a punctured internal jugular vein, a red flag suggesting a possible needle misplacement or procedural complication. The family later alleged negligence, citing erratic surgery timings, excessive anesthesia dosage, and cardiac failure due to toxicity. The matter quickly escalated to a legal claim.
Action Taken by CoverYou
On February 10, 2025, the insured informed CoverYou of the legal notice through a third-party contact. We immediately reviewed the documents and involved our legal partner to assess the seriousness of the allegation and initiate defense preparation. The doctor justified that the procedure was carried out as per protocol and that the tragic outcome was a rare and recognized complication of regional anesthesia, not negligence.
However, the legal complication deepened when it came to light that the doctor had privately promised the advocate ₹1,10,000 from their ICICI Lombard insurance cover, without informing CoverYou. This created confusion, as the legal team had quoted their standard representation charges separately. The advocate, now demanding the difference, brought pressure on the insured.
CoverYou intervened and held a joint conference call between the doctor, legal counsel, and the concerned advocate. After multiple discussions, we were able to negotiate a final settlement. The advocate agreed to accept the payment amount committed by CoverYou and assured that he would not seek any further compensation from the doctor.
Special Note
Despite complications due to prior unofficial commitments by the insured, CoverYou stepped in to de-escalate the matter. A fair resolution was achieved with zero financial liability falling back on the doctor beyond the committed legal assistance.
Disclaimer
This case study is based on real events, compiled for educational and awareness purposes. Personal and institutional details have been handled with discretion.
