Here at Pryers solicitors in York we have completed a medical negligence claim on behalf of a client and won her £2,000. The case involved a client who, in the course of the birth of her first child, had an epidural (for pain relief) that pierced the dura in the spine and led to leakage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). This was a recognised complication of the epidural but the mistake was made by the hospital staff failing to recognise that the client’s ongoing headaches were as a result of the leakage and to carry out blood patching. The mistake was compounded by the community midwives failing to refer her back to the Hospital to get it sorted out. It was only about a month later that the client was referred back to the hospital and the patching carried out to relieve the headaches. This allowed the client to start to enjoy tending to her new-arrival.
93yr Old Lady with Successful Clinical Negligence Claim
March 9th, 2010
A 93 yr old lady who went into hospital with suspected stroke (i.e. loss of coordination, confused, headaches and vomiting) was put on a bed with the bed rails up. No bumper pads were attached and consequently her leg fell through the rail causing a 10cm deep laceration to her shin. She required 10 weeks worth of follow up care i.e. changing dressings and analgesic patches being applied, and she lost a lot of confidence. Clinical negligence claim settled for £7,500.
Road crash victim seeks compensation
September 24th, 2009
A woman who was injured when her car skidded off a road in Cambridgeshire is seeking compensation after claiming that its surface is dangerous to motorists.
Jo Howard, 22, had been driving along Byall Fen Drove in February last year when the accident happened, Cambs24 reports.
She rounded a corner and her car skidded on a large patch of mud, sending her careering into a ditch.
Ms Howard could not work for nine months and still gets terrible headaches as a result of her facial injuries.
She is now seeking compensation and wants the surface of the road to be improved.
"I know a lot of people have come off that road and something needs to be done because it is so dangerous," the victim said.
The news follows reports earlier this month that a cyclist had been awarded compensation after his bike hit an oil spill on a road in Lancashire, leaving him badly cut and bruised. 
Compensation paid to labourer after accident at work
May 11th, 2009
Compensation has been secured for a man who was left brain damaged after an accident at work.
The 39-year-old, who did not want to be named, was working for A&P Falmouth in 2004 when he was hit on the head by welding equipment while painting a ship, the Shields Gazette reports.
He now suffers deafness, memory loss and a lack of concentration, as well as epilepsy and headaches, as a result of the brain damage he sustained.
The victim – with the assistance of his mother – took legal action against A&P Falmouth and an out-of-court settlement has now been agreed via the company’s insurers.
"This money will help cover his daily living costs, now that he can no longer earn a wage," remarked his mother.
Employers must deal with any hazards that are likely to arise and might cause serious injury to their workforce.
A compensation claim can be made if it can be proved that employers breached this duty of care and that this resulted in accident or injury.
Payouts for brain injuries will usually be more substantial since they must cover the costs of the victim’s long-term care.
Compensation secured for whiplash victim
April 23rd, 2009
A man who suffered whiplash after being involved in a car crash has secured compensation.
The unnamed man was travelling in Malton, North Yorkshire, when his vehicle was hit from behind by another car.
It was shunted forward suddenly, causing the victim to suffer a neck and back injury. He went on to develop headaches and pins and needles down his arm.
The car was also damaged, requiring him to hire a replacement vehicle for several weeks.
Advice was sought regarding a personal injury claim and the driver of the other vehicle went on to admit liability.
The victim is to be awarded £15,500 for injuries, damage to his vehicle and lost earnings.
According to Patient.co.uk, two in three people involved in a car crash develop neck pain.
Anyone who has suffered from whiplash following such an accident and who can prove that it was not their fault may be eligible for compensation and should seek the advice of a solicitor.
