Supreme Court: Medical Negligence Claims Survive Against Deceased Doctor’s Estate

The Supreme Court ruled that compensation claims for medical negligence can be pursued against the legal heirs of a deceased doctor.

The Bench clarified that while personal liability for professional negligence does not pass to heirs, financial claims can be satisfied from the assets inherited by them.

The Court distinguished between personal injury claims, which may abate upon death, and claims involving financial liability against a person’s estate.

Under Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, proceedings survive if they affect the deceased's property. This principle applies to the Consumer Protection Act, allowing heirs to be impleaded to represent the estate.

[Kumud Lall v. Suresh Chandra Roy & Ors.]