Medical negligence claims can be pursued against a deceased doctor’s heirs, says SC

The Supreme Court has held that compensation claims in medical negligence cases may be pursued against a deceased doctor’s legal heirs, with liability confined to the estate inherited by them.

A Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar observed that while claims relating to personal injury do not survive the death of a party, those involving pecuniary liability may nonetheless continue against the estate left behind.