August 10th, 2009
The pharmacy department of a Burton supermarket has been criticised after an elderly woman became the victim of two prescription errors.
Maria Madera, 81, always collected her Minim eye drops from her local Asda but on the first occasion, she was wrongly given Atropine, a different kind of medication, the Burton Mail reports.
She put the drops in and was temporarily blinded. Her granddaughter Krystine Strama-Rolfe said that she now suffers from depression and is reluctant to leave the house.
Asda then made the same error again a short time later, but Ms Madera’s family noticed and she did not put the drops in.
The supermarket apologised unreservedly for the mistakes and offered the victim £1,500 in compensation, but she has rejected the offer until it is increased to £3,000.
Atropine is a drug obtained from plant extracts that is administered to relax muscles by inhibiting nerve responses, whereas Minims are simply used to reduce dryness on the surface of the eye, Medterms.com attests.
Tags: Asda, Atropine, Blunders, Burton Mail, Criticised, Elderly Woman, Eye Drops, Eye Prescription, First Occasion, Granddaughter, Madera, Mail Reports, Nerve, Pharmacy Department, Plant Extracts, Prescription Errors, Short Time, Strama, Supermarket
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
December 4th, 2008
A formerly active businesswoman who was knocked down and seriously injured by a car has been awarded a substantial sum of compensation in a case unlike any other believed to have been seen so far.
The 74-year-old, Pamela Olive Green, was crossing the road when she was hit by a car being driven by Aneil Thawer.
She fractured her pelvis and sustained a brain injury in the accident, the Telegraph reports.
Ms Green, who owned and managed a number of property businesses, claimed that Mr Thawer was not paying attention as he approached the crossing and took him to court.
Mr Thawer’s insurers have now agreed to pay Ms Green £2.75 million in compensation, a sum normally reserved for people in their 20s who need substantial sums to pay for their long-term care.
Mr Justice Davis said: "I’m satisfied that the interests of the claimant are served by the terms of this settlement."
The payment was made without any admission of liability by Mr Thawer or his insurers.
A compensation claim can be made for injuries to pedestrians if it can be proven that the driver of the vehicle was responsible for the collision.
Tags: Admission, Brain Injury, Businesswoman, Claimant, Compensation Claim, Elderly Woman, Long Term Care, Mr Justice, Pamela, Paying Attention, Pedestrians, Pelvis, Substantial Sum, Substantial Sums, Telegraph Reports
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
December 1st, 2008
An elderly woman who was injured in her home after a hatch was left open by contractors has been paid compensation.
The unnamed 81-year-old was having work carried out on her central heating system by contractors on behalf of British Gas when the accident occurred.
A hatch had been left open and unguarded in the hallway by electricians while they carried out work in other areas of the property.
The resident came out of her living room and fell down the hatch, hurting her arm, back and legs.
British Gas was fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and ordered to pay £2,700 in compensation to the woman.
HSE inspector Jim Skilling said that the accident was preventable and it was not enough to simply close the door on the room where the hatch was located.
"Contractors must take positive steps to prevent any incident by implementing a safe system of work approach where all holes are covered or have barriers to ensure the safety of all persons, whether occupants or visitors," he commented.
All firms will be covered by standard public liability insurance, which will pay out if an injury occurs to a member of the public or the workforce.
Tags: Central Heating System, Elderly Woman, Electricians, Hallway, Hatch, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Holes, Hse, Insurance, Legs, Living Room, Occupants, Public Liability Insurance, Work Approach, Workforce
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
October 28th, 2008
The family of an elderly woman who was injured on a bus are seeking the advice of solicitors in order to pursue a possible compensation claim.
Betty Ardis, 87, was riding a bus in Plymouth when the driver braked suddenly, the Plymouth Evening Herald reports.
She was thrown from her seat and her scalp was cut open, leaving her lying in a pool of blood and needing 16 stitches.
Her son Adam Ardis said: "The way Citybus has dealt with this has left us with the impression that they could not care less. We believe she deserves compensation for the injury and the trouble she has been through."
Ms Ardis said she was unhappy that the company has not said sorry for the incident and that she hopes nobody else has to suffer in the same way.
Citybus declined to comment, saying the case is in the hands of its insurers.
Anyone who is injured as a result of a bus accident or from the driver braking too hard may be entitled to compensation.
Tags: Ardis, Bus Accident, Citybus, Compensation Claim, Elderly Woman, Legal Advice, Pensioner, Plymouth Evening Herald, Pool Of Blood, Solicitors, Son Adam, Stitches
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
October 8th, 2008
An elderly woman has secured compensation after she was hit by a car in 2005.
Irene Davis, now 81, was run over by Sandra Parker of Cheshunt and suffered hip fractures and a head injury that caused brain damage, reports the Hertfordshire Mercury.
As a result, she was forced to move into a nursing home.
In a new development, Ms Davis has now been awarded a lump sum payout of £100,000, as well as £25,000 a year to cover her long-term care.
The driver denied blame for the accident, but her insurers agreed to a settlement based on 65 per cent of her claim.
Commenting on the support Ms Davis’ family had shown for her since the accident, Mr Justice Sweeney said: "You should be commended for the way you have cared for Mrs Davis."
Pedestrians are one of the most at-risk groups from being seriously injured if they are involved in a road traffic collision, which is why they must be given right of way by motorists.
A compensation claim can be made for injuries if it can be proven that the driver of the vehicle was responsible for the collision.
Tags: Brain Damage, Cheshunt, Compensation Claim, Court Case, Elderly Woman, Head Injury, Hertfordshire Mercury, Hip Fractures, Irene Davis, Lump Sum Payout, Motorists, Mr Justice, Pedestrians, Pensioner, Risk Groups, Road Traffic, Sandra Parker, Support Ms, Traffic Collision
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
