Misdiagnosis Leads to ₹13L Award

In January 2024, Shettigar underwent a mandatory medical screening at the National CT Scan and Diagnostic Centre in Mangaluru.

The lab report erroneously declared him Hepatitis C positive, disqualifying him from taking up a confirmed job offer in Saudi Arabia.

Shocked by the result, Shettigar sought immediate retesting. Tests conducted at a private diagnostic centre in Manipal and later at the Udupi District Hospital confirmed that he was, in fact, not infected with the Hepatitis C virus. These findings revealed the grave error committed by the original diagnostic lab.

Udupi, Karnataka – A devastating case of medical misdiagnosis has led to a life-altering setback for Shivakumar Shettigar, a 43-year-old industrial nurse, who lost an overseas employment opportunity after being wrongly diagnosed with Hepatitis C.

Legal Battle & Outcome

Shettigar approached the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Udupi, seeking justice for the emotional, professional, and financial trauma caused by the negligence.

On May 21, 2025, the Commission held the diagnostic centre accountable and ordered a compensation of ₹13.49 lakh, factoring in:

Loss of salary (₹82,584/month) for the projected three-year job tenure abroad, the medical expenses and legal fees and the mental anguish and damage to career prospects.

The court also ruled that if the amount is not paid within 45 days, it will carry 6% interest per annum.

This case has reignited concerns about: Diagnostic accuracy and oversight, especially in centres conducting high-stakes medical clearance and the emotional and economic consequences of a single erroneous test result.

For professionals like Shettigar, whose livelihoods depend on precise medical evaluations, diagnostic negligence is more than just an error, it can derail years of career planning and impact entire families. The court’s ruling is a step toward justice, but also a reminder of the critical importance of reliability and accountability in the medical sector.