On 13 November 1995, a three-judge bench held that medical services rendered for consideration fall within 'service' under the Consumer Protection Act 1986, opening the consumer fora to patients alleging deficiency in treatment.
Decided on 25 March 1998, this judgment held that both the person who hires a medical service and the beneficiary of it are 'consumers', allowing distinct awards to an injured child and to its parents arising from a single act of negligence.