Medical Law Experts Launch Battle For Justice Against Hospital Trust

The devastated family of a dad-of-three who died of a heart attack have vowed to continue in their battle for justice after an inquest yesterday (1 November) found he died of natural causes.

Andrew Jones collapsed and died, aged just 47, at his home in Bridgend in Wales on 18 March this year despite regularly visiting hospital after suffering heart palpitations, high blood pressure and chest pains for eight months.

His distraught wife Jacqueline has instructed medical law experts at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors to discover if more could have been done to prevent her husband from having a fatal heart attack.

During the inquest into his death held yesterday at Aberdare Coroners Court, HM Coroner Louise Hunt heard Andrew died of coronary heart disease and one of his arteries had become completely blocked. She recorded a verdict of natural causes.

But medical law experts at Irwin Mitchell have been asked to investigate what the family believe were a series of errors made by Princess Of Wales Hospital during Andrew’s care.

Luke Daniels, an Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office, representing the family, said: “Jacqueline and her three sons have understandably been left devastated by their loss and they cannot begin to come to terms with it until they know that nothing more could have been done for Andrew.

“We are concerned that despite numerous tests and investigations hospital staff failed to diagnose and treat coronary heart disease.

“Patient safety and saving lives must be the top priority within all NHS hospitals throughout the UK and we hope Princess Of Wales Hospital will now work quickly and amicably with us to provide Andrew’s family with answers to their questions about his care.”

Jacqueline, Andrew’s wife of 21-years, and mum to Daniel, 19, Ben, 16, and Nathan, 21, said: “The entire family is still struggling to come to terms with the fact Andrew has gone. He was in a lot of pain for a long time and we hoped by going to the hospital he was in the best hands and they would help him to get better.

“We feel that this was not the case and still have a lot of questions that we need answers to before we can begin to accept his death.

“Andrew was incredibly popular and always wanted to help people. He always saw the best in everyone and he never had a bad word to say about anybody. He was a loving husband and a devoted father and he was incredibly proud of all his three sons.

“When he passed away more than 1000 people attended his funeral which was testament to his popularity. He will be sadly missed.

“Although no amount of money could bring Andrew back, we hope by getting more information and answers to our questions, any mistakes made will be identified and lessons can be learnt to prevent the same thing from happening again.”