Medical negligence experts at Irwin Mitchell have recovered compensation for the family of a woman who tragically died due to failings in a medical procedure.

91-year-old Mrs S, grandmother of four, was admitted to the Northern General Hospital on 22 August 2007 after becoming ill and bewildered.

Medical staff diagnosed her with fluid on the lung, and she needed an operation to drain the fluid which involved inserting a needle into the chest.

An x-ray showed possible risks, but in spite of Mrs S’s old age and infirmity hospital staff went ahead with the operation without ultrasound guidance that would have decreased the likelihood of further problems. Mrs S’s lung was pierced by the needle and she sadly passed away because of her injury nine days later, on 9 September 2007.

Irwin Mitchell argued that if the operation had been carried out with the correct ultrasound guidance then Mrs S’s lung wouldn’t have been punctured. But the NHS Foundation Trust initially denied our claims and liability for her death was contested throughout the legal proceedings. Four weeks before the trial was supposed to happen, the Trust settled the case.

Anna Stacey, a clinical negligence expert at Irwin Mitchell, acted for Mrs S’s family. She said: “Mrs S’s family are devastated at the death of their mother and grandmother, and hope that the safety of the individual patient is always put first. They do not wish any other families to go through a similar experience.”

If somebody close to you has died because of negligent medical care, our medical negligence solicitors could help you to claim the compensation you deserve. Visit our Fatal Medical Negligence Claims & Inquests page for more information.

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