A Delhi consumer court has ordered a private nursing home in Daryaganj to pay ₹20 lakh in compensation to a woman who lost her fallopian tube due to delayed diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. The court held the nursing home and the treating doctor guilty of medical negligence, stating that the failure to conduct timely investigations led to irreversible harm and loss of future fertility.
The ruling was passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission VIII, Central Delhi, which observed that basic medical protocols were ignored despite clear warning signs during early pregnancy.
The case dates back to July 2020 when the woman discovered she was pregnant through a home pregnancy test. She approached the nursing home for confirmation and treatment. The treating doctor confirmed the pregnancy based only on the home test result and did not conduct an ultrasound or other essential diagnostic investigations.
Over the following weeks, the woman repeatedly complained of abdominal pain and bleeding. Despite these red flag symptoms, the doctor continued prescribing medicines without documenting a clear diagnosis or ordering imaging tests. The court noted that the patient was marked as a high risk pregnancy, yet no urgent steps were taken to rule out complications such as ectopic pregnancy.
As her condition worsened and she became unable to move due to severe pain, her husband rushed her to another medical facility. There, doctors immediately conducted investigations and diagnosed a ruptured ectopic pregnancy with a dead embryo.
An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus instead of attaching to the uterine lining. In most cases, the egg settles in a fallopian tube, which is not designed to support a growing pregnancy. Because of this, the pregnancy cannot continue and requires medical treatment.
Ectopic pregnancies affect about 2 percent of all pregnancies. While relatively uncommon, they remain a serious condition due to the risk of internal bleeding and long term reproductive damage if diagnosis is delayed.
Symptoms can begin subtly and may resemble a normal early pregnancy. However, certain signs should raise concern:
Vaginal bleeding or unusual spotting
Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis
Discomfort in the lower back
Dizziness, weakness, or lightheadedness
If the fallopian tube ruptures, symptoms can worsen suddenly and may include severe abdominal pain, fainting, or shoulder pain. This situation is a medical emergency.
An ectopic pregnancy usually develops when the fertilized egg cannot move properly through the fallopian tube toward the uterus.
Common contributing factors include:
Scarring from previous pelvic or abdominal surgery
Infections causing inflammation of reproductive organs
Damage or structural abnormalities in the fallopian tubes
A history of ectopic pregnancy
Fertility treatments or assisted reproductive procedures
Endometriosis
Smoking
Age above 35 years
In many cases, no clear risk factor is found, making early monitoring important for all pregnancies.
Diagnosis relies on a combination of symptoms, lab tests, and imaging:
Pregnancy tests confirm hormone levels
Blood tests track whether pregnancy hormones are rising normally
Ultrasound scans help determine whether the pregnancy is inside or outside the uterus
If findings are unclear, doctors may repeat tests over time to confirm the diagnosis.
An ectopic pregnancy must be treated because it cannot develop safely.
In early cases, medication can stop the growth of the pregnancy tissue. This option may help preserve the fallopian tube if detected before rupture.
Surgery becomes necessary if the fallopian tube ruptures or if medication is not suitable. Surgeons may remove the ectopic tissue and, in severe cases, the affected tube.
The woman underwent emergency surgery at Kasturba Hospital to save her life. During the procedure, doctors were forced to remove her fallopian tube due to extensive damage caused by the delayed diagnosis. This resulted in permanent infertility.
The Commission observed that timely ultrasound and blood tests during the early stages could have detected the ectopic pregnancy and prevented the rupture and loss of the fallopian tube.
The consumer court strongly criticized the treating doctor for failing to meet basic standards of medical care. It noted that the doctor delayed essential diagnostic tests for nearly 40 days despite persistent symptoms.
The court also took serious note of the fact that the doctor falsely used higher medical degree titles while being registered only as an MBBS practitioner. This misrepresentation further strengthened the case of negligence.
The nursing home was held vicariously liable for the doctor’s actions, as patients trust institutions to ensure qualified professionals and safe medical practices.
The Commission ruled that no amount of money could truly compensate for the emotional trauma, physical suffering, and loss of motherhood experienced by the woman. However, it held that ₹20 lakh was a fair and reasonable compensation considering the permanent damage caused.
The nursing home has been directed to pay the compensation within six weeks. If it fails to do so, interest at nine percent per annum will apply until payment is made. The nursing home may recover the amount from the doctor through legal means.
Reference:
Cleveland Clinic. Ectopic Pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last reviewed January 18, 2023. Accessed December 29, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9687-ectopic-pregnancy.
(Rh/ARC)