We have recently settled a clinical negligence claim on behalf of the family of an elderly patient, who sadly passed away following hospital negligence.
Background Circumstances
The patient had a significant medical history, including heart failure, severe hypertension, atrial fibrillation, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, and chronic kidney disease stage 3. He also had a large groin hernia that could not be operated on due to his heart condition.
The patient suddenly began experiencing pain in his groin and was unable to eat. Emergency services were called, and it was suspected he had a strangulated hernia.
The patient was taken to the Emergency Department of the Defendant hospital with a six-day history of vomiting, abdominal pain, and inability to tolerate food or fluids. He was found to have an irreducible and tender inguinal hernia, as well as an acute kidney injury secondary to dehydration. He was admitted to hospital and treated with fluids, antiemetics, and analgesia, he was also referred to the surgical team.
Sadly, a week after his admission to hospital, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest and died.
Allegations of Negligence
It later transpired that the patient had dangerously low potassium levels and the hospital had failed to address this. It was alleged that the patient should have received replacement potassium, and that the hospital failed to carry out adequate investigations of the patient’s cardiac function, despite a known history of heart failure.
We alleged that had the patient been treated correctly with replacement potassium, the cardiac arrest and death would have been avoided.
Admissions of Liability
The Defendant admitted that they had failed the patient in multiple ways, and they accepted that the heart attack would not have occurred but for their negligence.
Settlement
Following negotiations, the patient’s estate accepted an offer of settlement from the Defendant in the sum of £5,500, on the basis that the patient’s life expectancy would have been guarded in any event due to his pre-existing illnesses.
How we can Help
Our specialist team have a wealth of experience in handling claims for avoidable cardiac arrests and all types of hospital negligence. We understand how traumatic it is for a family to lose a loved one and later find out that the death was due to negligence. We are here to support you through your claim, and to seek the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered any medical negligence, please get in touch for a no-obligation chat with our team or call us on 01244 312306, to see if we can assist you with a potential claim.
