Dismissal of USD 4M malpractice lawsuit over accidental removal of uvula appealed with High Court

A case alleging medical negligence over the alleged removal of a man’s uvula during a tonsil surgery has now been submitted to the High Court, after the claim was dismissed by the Civil Court.

The lawsuit was first filed in early 2023, after a Maldivian man underwent tonsil surgery and later claimed his uvula had been removed during the procedure. He sought more than MVR 1 million and over USD 4 million in compensation, totalling USD 5 million.

However, the plaintiff was unsuccessful in pursuing the claim at the Civil Court. His lawyer has since appealed to the High Court, though it remains unclear whether the High Court has decided to accept the case.

According to the Civil Court’s ruling, the matter falls under bodily injury caused by alleged medical negligence. The court found that the procedural requirements necessary for such claims had not been completed, leaving no grounds to proceed with the case.

The decision was issued on July 1 by Judge Abdul Nasir Shafeeg. The case has been submitted to court previously as well, but the plaintiff has not succeeded in advancing it.