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Thompsons Solicitors
Widower Receives Compensation in Fatal Clinical Negligence Case
31st May 2011
Our specialist lawyers recently recovered compensation from the NHS for a man who tragically lost his wife due to clinical negligence.
Lack of Correct Care
The claimant’s wife was admitted to a mental health unit for treatment. When she was admitted the doctors noted that she was drinking water excessively, so plans were made to take some blood tests and review her medication.
Although blood tests were carried out, the results were never returned or reviewed and she continued to drink excessive amounts of water for over a week, which was recorded in her notes again more than once. Eventually she collapsed and had to be transferred to an intensive care unit. It was found she was suffering from massive brain swelling due to excessive consumption of water. Sadly she suffered irreversible brain damage and did not survive, leaving behind her husband and their children.
Claim Against NHS
We were appointed by the husband of the deceased to pursue a claim on his behalf. He felt that with the correct care his wife would have recovered and returned home, as she had following previous admissions.
We asserted that if the staff at the unit had treated our client’s wife appropriately the outcome would most likely have been different. The blood tests showed that she had very low sodium levels, which can be indicative of excessive water consumption. If the results had been made available, they could have been acted upon. There was also a failure to monitor and control her water intake, or escalate the matter to a more senior doctor, despite the multiple entries in her notes about how much she was drinking.
The NHS Trust admitted liability and we entered into negotiations with them in respect of a compensation settlement. After rejecting their initial offer we were able to secure an increased sum of damages for our client.
Expert Legal Advice
If you have suffered a personal injury due to clinical negligence, or the loss of a family member, a compensation claim may be possible.
Our expert lawyers have a wealth of experience in recovering compensation for the victims of clinical negligence. Contact The Legal Line on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online, for sympathetic, confidential advice on your case.
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