Bengaluru lab ordered to pay ₹55,000 in report mix-up case

The Bengaluru Urban-II Consumer Commission has ordered Harshitha Diagnostic Laboratory and Scanning Centre in Mahalakshmi Layout to pay ₹55,000 after finding it negligent in handling a report connected to Rathna Kumar G Kadale’s forehead lump.

Kadale visited the laboratory on March 2, 2024, for an FNAC examination after his doctor suspected a lipoma or sebaceous cyst. He told the commission that he received a report referring to thyroid-related conditions, which caused anxiety and led to additional scans and tests.

A histopathology report dated March 11, 2024 later identified the lump as a lipoma. The commission noted that Kadale’s prescription requested an FNAC examination of the forehead lump, not a thyroid-related test.

The commission said WhatsApp messages submitted as evidence showed that the laboratory had acknowledged and apologised for the error. It awarded ₹50,000 for mental agony and inconvenience, along with ₹5,000 towards litigation costs.

The laboratory denied negligence, stating that Kadale had collected another patient’s report. It also alleged that he later altered the report, which Kadale disputed. The commission directed the laboratory to pay the amount within 45 days.