August 5th, 2009
Two brothers who were treated for a rare form of anaemia are to receive compensation after they both ended up with iron overdoses.
According to the BBC, Liam McNeely, 35, and his brother Paul, 39, both had blood transfusions at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
However, in 2001, the siblings were both diagnosed with iron overload – Liam’s iron levels were 5,000 mg when the normal amount is between 30 and 100 mg.
"It turned out it was caused from having too many blood transfusions without having the necessary treatment. I was in shock," Liam remarked.
He now suffers from diabetes and osteoporosis, while Paul needs constant care from care workers and his parents.
In a new development, the hospital has agreed to an undisclosed payout after an eight-year legal battle and has admitted liability for the brothers’ injuries.
Iron is needed to carry oxygen around the body, but when too much of it gets into the bloodstream, it can damage the stomach, liver, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels and brain, Healthoma attests.
Tags: Bbc, Blood Transfusions, Blood Vessels, Bloodstream, Brother Paul, Constant Care, Diabetes, Iron Levels, Iron Overload, Kidneys, Liver, Lungs, Mcneely, Necessary Treatment, Osteoporosis, Oxygen, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Siblings, Stomach, Two Brothers
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
July 6th, 2009
A young mother is seeking compensation from Tesco after her baby was put at risk of liver and kidney failure due to staff errors.
Kirsty Hensby, 22, picked up a prescription for her baby daughter Summer at Tesco after she developed a rash on her face, the Daily Mail reports.
However, the locum pharmacist labelled the bottle with a dose of 5ml three times a day instead of 3ml.
As a result, Summer was given medicine for four days that would have been more suitable for a six-year-old, putting her at risk of liver and kidney damage.
The error was only noticed after Ms Hensby went to collect a repeat prescription.
Tesco blamed the error on a locum pharmacist and said it is investigating the matter fully, as well as having sacked the offending member of staff.
Ms Hensby said the compensation offered to her by the supermarket, £600, is not enough.
"It was as though I was complaining about a can of baked beans being past their sell-by date, rather than the health of my daughter," she commented.
Tesco provides a range of pharmacy services, including repeat dispensing, repeat collection and diabetes screening.
Tags: 3ml, Baby Daughter, Baked Beans, Blunder, Daily Mail, Diabetes, Diabetes Screening, Kidney Damage, Kidney Failure, Liver, Locum Pharmacist, Medicine, Pharmacy Services, Rash On, Repeat Prescription, Supermarket, Tesco, Three Times, Young Mother
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November 27th, 2008
A man has taken his ex-girlfriend to the high court in a bid to claim compensation from her.
Luke Jones, now 25, was travelling in a golf buggy being driven by Amber Mounty while on holiday in 2006, the South Wales Argus reports.
However, she lost control and Mr Jones’ leg was crushed under the vehicle.
He had to have his leg amputated and also suffered problems with his liver and an MRSA infection while at hospital.
Mr Jones has now taken the case further as, although Ms Mounty’s insurance company has admitted liability, the two sides are unable to agree upon the amount of compensation that should be paid.
He claims he will be unable to get an equivalent job to that he had before the accident and that he still suffers psychological problems.
Anyone injured in such an accident should seek legal advice as they could be eligible for compensation if it can be proved that another party was responsible for the incident.
Tags: Bid, Ex Girlfriend, Golf Buggy, Insurance, Insurance Company, Job, Legal Advice, Liver, Luke Jones, Mounty, Mrsa Infection, Psychological Problems, South Wales Argus
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
September 17th, 2008
A man who was wrongly told he had terminal cancer is considering launching legal action against the hospital responsible for the mistake.
Andy Lees, 72, went into hospital for tests and was told he had cancer of the lungs and liver.
He then spent £6,500 making funeral arrangements, as well as giving £12,000 of his savings to friends and family.
However, he was then told he did not have cancer, but was in fact suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Mr Lees said he has been left penniless by the misdiagnosis.
"We just presumed that the doctor would be right. Now I am broke. I am definitely considering suing the hospital," he commented.
An investigation has now been launched by NHS Lothian as to how the errors occurred.
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.
Negligence may occur from delay or failure to diagnose a condition, delay or failure to treat a condition, when a treatment goes wrong, use of the wrong treatment, or failure to obtain consent.
Tags: Action Man, Cancer Of The Lungs, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Clinical Negligence, Failure, Friends And Family, Health Service, Injury Death, Launch, Liver, Lothian, Making Funeral Arrangements, Misdiagnosis, Mistake, Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Suffering From, Terminal Cancer
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