DF must compensate elderly person who lost finger

Thiago Bomfim
São Paulo, SP (UOL/Folhapress)

The government of the Federal District must compensate an elderly person who lost a finger after waiting 13 days for treatment in the public health network. The decision is from the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories (TJDF)

Elderly man has diabetes and had requested orthopedic surgery on his shoulder. On December 27, 2021, he was admitted to Hospital Regional do Gama with a ligament injury in his left shoulder. However, he was only properly attended to thirteen days later, on January 10, 2022.

Delay caused the patient’s condition to worsen, says Justice. While waiting for care, the elderly man’s health worsened and had to undergo the amputation of one of his toes.

“Inaction by public authorities added to anguish and suffering”, says Justiça. In their decision, the judges concluded that the patient was not offered adequate medical care, either in the hospital where he was staying or in another health unit. “The omission of public authorities, embodied in excessive waiting for medical care, was decisive for the advancement of toe necrosis”, they wrote.

The compensation amount was set at R$7,000. Of this amount, R$3,000 refers to moral damages, and R$4,000 refers to aesthetic damages.