Cocoon Hospital Fined ₹25L for Fatal Swine Flu Negligence.

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 932275509

The NCDRC upheld a ₹25 lakh compensation ruling against Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur, for negligence leading to the 2015 death of Pooja Goyal due to undiagnosed swine flu. Despite epidemic guidelines, the hospital failed timely diagnosis. Sprouts News reached out to RJ Corp Healthcare’s CEO, but received no response.

In a significant judgment reaffirming the accountability of private healthcare providers, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has upheld an earlier ruling directing Cocoon Hospital, operated by Lineage Healthcare Ltd, to pay ₹25 lakh in compensation. The case stems from the 2015 death of 28-year-old Pooja Goyal, who died from complications due to undiagnosed swine flu during childbirth at the Jaipur-based hospital.

The NCDRC, in its 9 May 2025 decision, dismissed an appeal filed by Lineage Healthcare challenging the 2016 verdict of the Rajasthan State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. That commission had found the hospital guilty of medical negligence in the diagnosis and treatment of Ms. Goyal’s H1N1 infection.

Pooja Goyal had been under Cocoon Hospital’s care throughout her pregnancy. Despite presenting with fever and flu-like symptoms amid an ongoing H1N1 epidemic, she was admitted on 8 January 2015 for a caesarean section. Her condition deteriorated post-surgery, but hospital staff allegedly dismissed repeated requests from her husband, Sanjay Goyal, to escalate her treatment or consider transfer to another facility.

The commission noted that the patient developed a fever by the evening of 9 January—an undisputed fact. Yet, Cocoon Hospital failed to conduct any H1N1 screening until her discharge on 12 January 2015. During that time, the hospital did not investigate further despite clear clinical indicators and national guidelines requiring immediate testing in pregnant patients.

Upon contacting Narayana Hridayalaya Hospital with her case history and medical reports, Mr. Goyal was advised to shift her immediately. Cocoon Hospital discharged Ms. Goyal the same day without any formal documentation addressing her persistent symptoms.

Goyal was admitted to Narayana Hridayalaya’s ICU, where she tested positive for H1N1. She died three days later, on 15 January 2015. The NCDRC found that Cocoon Hospital had ignored established medical protocols and failed to exercise reasonable care under epidemic conditions.

“Had [swine flu] been detected in time, there was a good possibility she would have survived,” the commission observed, emphasizing that swine flu was the sole medical complication in the case. The judgment cited guidelines mandating immediate testing for influenza-like illness in pregnant women during outbreaks—guidelines that Cocoon Hospital failed to follow.

Sprouts News reviewed the judgment, which also highlighted that the hospital provided no justification for the absence of H1N1 screening despite the patient being febrile and symptomatic over a multi-day period.

The NCDRC bench, comprising Presiding Member Subhash Chandra and Member AVM J Rajendra (Retd), concluded that Cocoon Hospital’s actions amounted to a serious breach of duty. “This is a case where Cocoon Hospital has not adopted a reasonable standard of diagnosis,” the commission stated, dismissing the hospital’s claim that fever symptoms arose only after surgery.

The compensation of ₹25 lakh, as determined by the state commission, remains unchanged. Notably, ₹15 lakh is earmarked for the deceased’s children and will be placed in fixed deposits until they reach adulthood. The rest will be awarded to her surviving family, acknowledging the emotional and financial loss caused by her untimely death.

“This family has been deprived of her services as a wife and mother,” the commission remarked, underlining the broader social impact of the hospital’s failure.

In light of this ruling, Sprouts News made repeated attempts to contact Dr. Alok Khullar, newly appointed Group CEO of RJ Corp Healthcare (which owns Lineage Healthcare Ltd). As of publication, Dr. Khullar has not responded to requests for comment.