April 22nd, 2009
A judge at the High Court has ruled that a young woman who suffered a stroke should be awarded compensation for clinical negligence.
Samantha Cole, 30, began to suffer dizziness, headaches and vomiting in 2004 and went to her local hospital and her doctor’s surgery, Essex local paper the Gazette reports.
However, she was sent home. Her symptoms began to worsen and she eventually requested a home visit from her GP, Dr Joseph Huber, who failed to diagnose an impending stroke and did not refer her to the hospital.
Ms Cole suffered the stroke four days later and is now unable to walk unaided.
She took legal action against Dr Huber, who has now admitted clinical negligence.
Judge McMullen QC ruled that the stoke could have been prevented had the doctor spotted the symptoms sooner and said that Ms Cole should receive compensation, the sum of which will be decided at a later date.
According to Life After Stroke, some 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke – when an area of the brain is deprived of its blood supply, causing brain tissue to die – every year.
Tags: Blood Supply, Brain Tissue, Clinical Negligence, Dizziness, Dr Joseph, Essex, Gazette Reports, Gp, Headaches, Joseph Huber, Local Hospital, Samantha, Stroke Victim, Young Woman
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
April 1st, 2009
Damages are to be paid to a woman who suffered a stroke after being involved in a fatal road accident.
Bruna Long, 62, was behind the wheel near Great Horkesley in Essex when she was hit by an oncoming vehicle being driven by Darren Puljic, the Maldon and Burnham Standard reports.
The 20-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt and it is thought that he may have been exceeding the 60 miles per hour speed limit, as well as being on the wrong side of the road.
He died in the collision, while Mrs Long sustained multiple fractures and a head injury. Her husband, Christopher Long, also suffered orthopaedic injuries.
Mrs Long went on to suffer a stroke which has left her permanently disabled with communication and speech problems. She now needs long-term care.
She took legal action against Mr Puljic through his insurers, Norwich Union, and the firm admitted liability.
After a high court hearing, the organisation has agreed to an undisclosed payout, although it is believed the compensation may run into seven figures.
Mr Justice Mackay said the pay-out should provide "reasonable financial security" for Mr and Mrs Long.
When a road accident occurs and liability can be proven, compensation will always be paid through the insurers of the responsible party, so victims should make a claim if they feel they are eligible.
Tags: Damages, Essex, Financial Security, Fractures, Head Injury, Long Term Care, Mackay, Maldon And Burnham, Miles Per Hour, Mr And Mrs, Mr Justice, Norwich Union, Responsible Party, Road Accident, Road Crash, Speech Problems, Speed Limit, Stroke, Wearing A Seatbelt, Wrong Side Of The Road
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
February 10th, 2009
A passenger on a motorbike who sustained serious brain damage in an accident is to receive compensation.
Richard Dady, then 16, got on a bike with a 15-year-old unqualified driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in October 2004, the Hertfordshire Mercury reports.
As the rider drove through Waltham Abbey – which is situated in Essex, approximately 16 miles north of London – he collided with a car coming in the opposite direction.
Mr Dady broke several bones and also sustained brain damage that has left him unable to live the life he had previously.
Through his mother Kim, Mr Dady took legal action against the driver of the other car and has now secured a settlement of £450,000, although the other party did not admit liability.
Commenting on the ruling, Mr Justice Eady said he would not hesitate to approve the payout.
"All that remains is for me to wish Richard and his mother well for the future," he added.
Tags: Bones, Brain Damage, Eady, Essex, Hertfordshire Mercury, London, Mercury, Motorbike, Mr Justice, Unqualified Driver, Waltham Abbey
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
January 13th, 2009
A British couple are seeking compensation from a tour operator after falling ill while in the Dominican Republic.
Jacqueline and James O’Sullivan were staying at the Ocean Sands Hotel on a holiday organised by First Choice when they began to show signs of an upset stomach, Suffolk and Essex Online reports.
Mrs O’Sullivan was the worst affected and had to be admitted to hospital. She has suffered a number of problems since returning home and has been told she may have developed Hepatitis.
"It was a very stressful time, a complete nightmare. I have never been this ill before," she commented.
They are now taking legal action against First Choice and could be eligible for between £10,000 and £200,000 if they are successful.
A spokesperson for the tour operator declined to comment.
British tourists who suffer from an accident, personal injury or food poisoning while on holiday can sue their tour operator provided that the holiday was a package which includes travel and accommodation.
Tags: Accommodation, British Couple, British Tourists, Dominican Republic, Essex, First Choice, Food Poisoning, Hepatitis, Jacqueline, Nightmare, O Sullivan, Ocean Sands, personal injury, Returning Home, Sands Hotel, Spokesperson, Stressful Time, Tour Operator, Upset Stomach
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
