Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Medical Negligence Results in the Tragic Death of a Patient
13th October 2009
Our specialist personal injury lawyers recently acted in a clinical negligence claim on behalf of a man whose wife sadly died due to a personal injury she sustained whilst under the care of a hospital’s mental health unit.
Clinical Negligence
Our client’s wife was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and was placed in the care of a mental health trust. She was assessed as being at a high risk of suicide or self harm and directions were given that she should be under one to one observation at all times, in accordance with national guidelines.
Despite the fact that a rota was drawn up to ensure her 24 hour supervision, she was left unsupervised for a sufficient period that she was able to leave the ward and go out into the hospital garden via an unlocked door. Whilst out in the garden she somehow fell and hit her head, causing a serious head injury. Although she was taken to hospital to be treated, the injuries were severe and she never recovered.
Compensation Claim
Our client felt that the hospital staff were negligent and that his wife’s tragic death could have been avoided if they had followed the guidelines set out. He therefore appointed our expert lawyers, who have extensive experience in cases involving fatalities, to act on his behalf in a compensation claim.
The Trust admitted liability for the incident and we were able to secure £15,000 for our client, which included a statutory sum of bereavement damages and an amount in respect of funeral costs and other expenses.
Specialist Legal Advice
If you have suffered a personal injury due to medical negligence, or you believe the negligent actions of medical professionals may have caused the death of a loved one, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Contact The Legal Line on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online, for expert, confidential advice from our specialist lawyers.
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