A patient suffers injury because a HOSPITAL's doctor failed to exercise the care expected during treatment. The patient (or his kin) files a consumer complaint. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, medical treatment by a hospital and the care given are treated, for the purpose of the Act, as:

Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, a HOSPITAL rendering medical treatment provides a 'SERVICE' and the patient is a 'CONSUMER', so complaints alleging DEFICIENCY in service - including medical negligence with the requisite standard - lie before the District/State/National Commission. The consumer fora apply the same principles of medical-negligence liability as the courts, requiring proof that the care fell below the professional standard with resultant harm. The Consumer Protection Act has, however, retained the protective carve-outs and a consumer body at the National level for such claims. Medical-consumer remedy is a widely tested application point.