Introduction
This case study explores the real-life events that unfolded in June 2019 when a 7-year-old girl, rushed into emergency surgery after a domestic injury, suffered complications during anesthesia. With over 20 years of experience, a renowned anesthesiologist based in Delhi was drawn into a high-stakes legal and medical storm. What followed was a difficult journey of blame, defense, and ultimately, resolution, with CoverYou walking alongside him at every step.
Case Background
On June 9, 2019, a young girl suffered a grievous injury near her private parts while playing at home. She was bleeding heavily, and her desperate parents rushed her to one of the renowned maternity centers after other nearby hospitals reportedly turned them away.
The attending senior surgeon decided to operate immediately to control the bleeding. For this, she called in an experienced anaesthesiologist associated with the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA).
The case seemed straightforward until an unexpected cardiac arrest during postoperative care triggered a chain of allegations and legal complications.
Incident Report
- June 9, 2019. The child was brought to one of the renowned maternity centers after several hospitals refused to admit her, given the emergency.
- Emergency Surgery Begins: The doctor decided on surgical intervention and an anesthesiologist for procedural sedation over full general anesthesia, considering the girl had eaten recently, a known risk factor.
- Stabilized in 8 Minutes: The sedation worked well, and the patient regained consciousness within 8 minutes and was reported stable.
- Cardiac Arrest at 7:30 PM: As the surgery ended, the girl suddenly suffered cardiac arrest. Doctors initiated CPR, administered emergency drugs, and successfully revived her heartbeat within 2 minutes.
- Referring to the top-renowned hospital without delay, the team arranged for her transfer under medical supervision. Despite all efforts, the child passed away 14 days later.
- June 10, 2019, Allegations Surface: The father accused the doctors of negligence, wrong dosage, failure to secure the airway, and delay in hospital transfer. A claim of over ₹7 crore was filed.
- Post-Mortem Findings: Contrary to the claims, the report revealed no signs of aspiration, overdose, or improper drug use. It identified underlying conditions like severe electrolyte imbalance and pre-existing liver and lung complications.
Support from CoverYou:
- CoverYou comes forward, and the case was handled by our in-house legal expert. During the investigation and process of what our experts did and found:
- Initial Claim (₹1.8 Lakhs) Closed in 2022: ICICI Lombard paid ₹1.8 lakhs and closed the file with CoverYou’s knowledge.
- Reopened in April 2025, New Invoice with New Push: Doctor returned to CoverYou with a ₹2.8 lakh invoice related to the same case. The insurer initially refused, citing that the file was already closed.
- Intervention and Advocacy: Our team didn’t stop there. We kept the doctor updated and took the matter to the senior management of ICICI Lombard.
- Detailed Justification Sent: We submitted a formal email explaining the gravity of the matter, a high-profile NCDRC case with emotional weight and medico-legal complexity.
- Victory achieved: After multiple escalations, discussions, and detailed correspondence, the insurer reopened the case and approved the ₹2.8 lakh liability payment.
Protection and Peace Delivered
Navigating the emotional trauma of a child’s death and defending one’s medical decisions under public and legal scrutiny is not easy, no matter how experienced you are. For the doctor, CoverYou wasn’t just an insurance broker. We were his second line of protection. From legal documentation to insurer negotiations, we stood by his side, ensuring that what was just was also done.
Disclaimer
All identifiable details have been anonymized or changed to maintain client confidentiality. The account is based on real events supported by official documents and testimonies.
