AZE.US
A clinic in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgayit has been ordered to pay more than AZN 31,000 in compensation after a nose operation allegedly caused damage to a patient’s left eye.
Nerida Zulfugarova underwent surgery at Liman Clinic in 2024. The procedure was performed by surgeon Afgan Agagulov, Bizim.Media reported, citing Qafqazinfo.
Following the operation, the woman developed strabismus, commonly known as a crossed eye, affecting her left eye.
The district prosecutor’s office investigated the case but ultimately declined to open criminal proceedings. However, a forensic medical examination concluded that the surgery had been performed improperly.
Zulfugarova’s lawyer, Anar Mamishov, submitted the expert findings and documents detailing the patient’s post-surgery expenses to the court.
The plaintiff sought AZN 40,000 ($23,529) in material damages and AZN 10,000 ($5,882) in compensation for emotional distress from Liman Clinic and the surgeon.
The defendants rejected the claim. Agagulov argued that the patient had not followed the prescribed treatment after the surgery and had failed to take the necessary medication, which he said led to the eye condition.
The Sumgayit City Court partially granted the lawsuit.
Under the ruling, Liman Group LLC must pay the patient AZN 28,574 ($16,808) for material damages and AZN 3,000 ($1,765) for emotional distress. The total compensation amounts to AZN 31,574, or approximately $18,573.
The court rejected the claim against Agagulov personally, ruling that because he was employed by the clinic, the employer was legally responsible for the damage.
The decision was later upheld by both the appeals court and Azerbaijan’s highest judicial authority.
The patient’s daughter, Ramila Mammadova, previously said her 54-year-old mother had a Category II disability and had worked as a kindergarten teacher for more than 35 years.
According to Mammadova, when the family contacted the doctor about the complications, they were told to wait because the condition would eventually improve.
AZE.US