Yes, hospitals in India can be held liable for the negligence of doctors under certain circumstances. This liability may arise under the principles of vicarious liability, direct liability, or both. Courts in India have consistently recognized that hospitals owe a duty of care to their patients and can be held accountable if that duty is breached. Here’s how hospital liability works: 1. Vicarious Liability: A hospital can be held liable for the negligent acts of its employees, including doctors, nurses, and staff, if: The doctor was employed or engaged by the hospital (not just an independent consultant). The act of negligence occurred during the course of employment or service. For example, if a hospital-employed doctor makes an error during surgery due to carelessness, the hospital may be vicariously liable, even if the management itself did not directly commit any wrongful act. 2. Direct Liability (Corporate Negligence): Hospitals may also be held directly liable if the negligence is due to: Failure to provide proper facilities, equipment, or hygiene Employing unqualified or inexperienced staff Not having adequate systems to supervise medical procedures Not maintaining medical records properly Delayed treatment or refusal to admit a patient in an emergency This kind of liability arises from a hospital’s own breach of duty in ensuring patient safety and care. 3. Contractual Obligations: Hospitals enter into an implied contract with patients to provide proper care. If this is breached due to negligence by doctors working under or associated with the hospital, it can lead to legal action. 4. Legal Forum and Compensation: Victims of medical negligence can approach: Consumer courts under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 Civil courts for damages Criminal courts if the negligence amounts to gross recklessness or leads to death under IPC Section 304A Compensation can be awarded for medical expenses, physical and mental suffering, loss of income, or even death. Judicial Precedents: The Supreme Court of India and various High Courts have held hospitals accountable in cases like: V. Kishan Rao v. Nikhil Super Speciality Hospital (2010) Spring Meadows Hospital v. Harjol Ahluwalia (1998), where the hospital was held liable for negligence by a nurse and a doctor. Conclusion: Yes, hospitals can be held liable for the negligent acts of doctors, especially when those doctors are employees or when the hospital has failed in its own duty of care. The law imposes both vicarious and direct liability to ensure accountability and patient safety in healthcare institutions.

Yes, hospitals can indeed be held liable for the negligence of doctors. This liability primarily falls under the concept of vicarious liability. Vicarious liability refers to situations where one party is made liable for the negligent actions of a third party for whom they were responsible. As per this legal principle, an employer is liable for the negligence of its employees. Therefore, hospitals become legally liable for any medical malpractice case done by a doctor or any other medical practitioner who is "on roll with the hospital". It is considered "well established" that a hospital is vicariously liable for the negligent acts committed by doctors "engaged or empanelled" by the hospital to provide medical care. This is based on the idea that the one who acts through another acts in his or her own interests. In addition to vicarious liability for the acts of their staff, hospitals can also be held directly liable for negligence. Direct liability refers to the hospital's own failings in providing a safe and suitable environment for treatment. Examples of direct liability include: Failure to maintain equipment in proper working condition, such as oxygen cylinders or ventilators. Failure to hand over copies of medical records, X-rays, etc., upon request, which can amount to a deficiency in service. Improper maintenance of cleanliness and/or unhygienic conditions on the hospital premises. In cases of negligence, liability is often shared, making both the individual medical practitioner and the institution (hospital) jointly and severally accountable for any breach of duty. Hospitals can be charged with negligence and sued in criminal/civil courts or Consumer Courts. In 1995, the Honorable Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment in the case of Indian Medical Association vs. VP Shantha, which was published in the AIR 1996, SC 550. This judgment formalized the relationship between consumers and medical professionals by incorporating the medical profession within the definition of “service” outlined in the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. Consequently, contractual patients were granted the right to sue practitioners for compensation in ‘procedure-free’ consumer protection tribunals, provided that they had been injured during treatment.