Another successful clinical negligence claim was settled recently by Pryers solicitors in York for £10,000. A lady was awarded this amount of money to compensate her for the Defendant hospital’s failure to carry out a mammogram and further scans. This led to a delay in diagnosing a breast tumour, though did not have a significant effect on her prognosis. The damages represented the unnecessary pain and suffering caused by the delay in treatment.
Solider sues MoD after Land Rover cliff plunge
August 3rd, 2009
A soldier who was left permanently disabled after the Land Rover he was in plunged over a cliff face is seeking compensation against the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Former Royal Marine Tom Birch had been on duty in Afghanistan in November 2006 when he lost control and the vehicle fell 100 feet over the cliff. He suffered brain injuries, a collapsed lung, a fractured jaw and a crushed hip, the Derby Telegraph reports.
The 21-year-old is now suing the MoD for negligence, claiming that the vehicle was in a state of disrepair and that the organisation had turned a blind eye to the fact that he was not in possession of any kind of driving licence.
His mother Gail Birch said: "No amount of money can compensate for his injuries. Nothing may come of this compensation claim but we have to try as the MoD needs to be held accountable."
The news comes as the MoD attempts to recover some of the compensation it paid to two injured soldiers from the Iraq conflict. It claims that some of their disabilities developed after the initial accidents and so they should not be compensated for them.
£2.5m for mum in hospital blunder
January 19th, 2009
A woman has been awarded compensation after a seven-year legal battle with an NHS hospital.
Patricia Richards, 61, went to Rochdale Infirmary in September 2001 for a routine operation, the Manchester Evening News reports.
However, her vital signs were not properly monitored while she was under anaesthetic and she suffered brain damage as a result of oxygen deprivation.
Ms Richards has since needed constant care from her husband Robert due to personality changes and difficulties doing everyday tasks.
Pennine Acute NHS Trust has now admitted that its doctors were negligent and the victim will be paid £750,000, plus annual payments of £100,000.
Mr Richards said: "The settlement is a great relief, but no amount of money can compensate for the damage done to Pat."
Clinical negligence occurs when a professional in the health service provides care that is deemed to be below standard and this causes physical injury, death or distress.
Compensation may be claimed as a result, as was the case here.
Surface miners take compensation claim to high court
January 12th, 2009
Up to 1,000 miners are to take their claims for compensation to the high court in a bid to secure a payout for the injuries and conditions they now suffer.
The miners, who worked on the surface and are as such not eligible for compensation under the Coal Health Compensation Scheme, nevertheless suffer from knee problems and chronic lung disease from inhaling dust, the Guardian reports.
The government has contested the claims in court in Leeds, but the miners hope a hearing in London will rule in their favour.
John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, said: "[The government] should create a simple non-legalistic scheme that would compensate miners with a modest amount of money for things like the breathing equipment they need."
According to number10.gov.uk, the government was paying out £2 million a day in compensation to miners affected by underground work in 2005.
They were required to take a simple breathing test to measure the loss of lung function and were entitled to payments of up to £12,900.
Delay in operation results in clinical negligence payout
October 7th, 2008
A compensation payout has been awarded to a widow who lost her husband when an operation he was due to have was delayed.
John Hodges, 70, was told in 2005 that he would have to have surgery to repair an aneurysm in his abdomen, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Doctors said he would have the procedure within two months; however, his operation was not scheduled until four months later.
During this time, Mr Hodges became severely ill and was admitted to hospital for emergency surgery, which he did not survive.
His widow Ann said she believes Mr Hodges would have survived had he been admitted to hospital sooner and hospital bosses admitted the delay was a contributing factor to his death.
Ms Hodges has now been paid £40,000 for her loss, but said no amount of money would compensate her for his death.
A hospital spokesperson said: "We have expressed our sincere apologies to the family of Mr Hodges as the care provided in 2005 fell below the standard he was entitled to expect."
Clinical negligence occurs when a professional in the health service provides care that is deemed to be below standard and this causes physical injury, death or distress.
