Yes, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) can be a ground for a medical negligence claim under Indian law, if it is proven that the infection occurred due to the hospital’s lack of reasonable care. What are Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)? HAIs are infections that a patient did not have at the time of admission but acquired during hospital stay, such as: Surgical site infections, Urinary tract infections, Ventilator-associated pneumonia, MRSA or sepsis. Legal Basis for Negligence Claim: To claim negligence for an HAI, the patient or their family must prove: 1. Duty of care – The hospital had a legal obligation to maintain hygiene and prevent infection. 2. Breach of duty – There was failure to maintain proper sterilization, hygiene, or infection control. 3. Causation – The infection directly resulted from this breach. 4. Harm – The patient suffered injury, prolonged hospitalization, or death due to the infection. Relevant Indian Case Law: In Dr. Laxman Balkrishna Joshi v. Dr. Trimbak Bapu Godbole (1969), and Jacob Mathew v. State of Punjab (2005), the Supreme Court held that a medical professional or hospital is liable for negligence if reasonable care is not taken. The Consumer Protection Act also allows patients to claim compensation for medical negligence. In several National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) decisions, hospitals were held liable where post-surgical or ICU infections were caused by lack of sterilization, dirty wards, or untrained staff. Examples Where Hospitals May Be Liable: Not sterilizing surgical instruments properly. Reusing IV sets or catheters without proper care. ICU not cleaned regularly. Ignoring known infection outbreaks in the hospital. No isolation or infection control protocols. --- Hospitals May Defend Themselves If: They prove all necessary precautions were taken. The infection was due to unavoidable medical risks. The patient had pre-existing vulnerabilities or comorbidities. Conclusion: Yes, hospital-acquired infections can be a ground for negligence if they are caused due to lack of proper hygiene, sterilization, or standard protocols. Patients have the right to seek compensation under consumer law or file a civil suit for damages.