Expert Medical Negligence Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell Instructed To Investigate Level Of Care Dad Received

The family of a businessman, who died after hospital staff gave him antibiotics he previously had a suspected reaction to, is hoping an upcoming inquest will provide vital answers regarding his death.

Norman Truman died on 4 April, 2016, 11 days after suffering a cardiac arrest in Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Following the death of the 72-year-old, of Spinkhill, Derbyshire, his family instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the care Norman received from Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Expert Opinion

Norman was a real family man who enjoyed spending time with his wife Elsie and children Julie and Wayne.

“Norman’s family has been left devastated by his death and Elsie has a number of concerns over why her husband was given antibiotics to which he is suspected of having an allergic reaction to in the past.

“It is vitally important that the inquest identifies exactly what happened during Norman’s care and, if required, lessons are learned and measures introduced to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.” Sinead Rollinson-Hayes - Associate Solicitor

Norman ran his own company, Yorkshire Crane Hire Ltd, until he sold the business in 2008 and retired. 

On 29 February, 2016, he visited his GP who diagnosed that Norman had a chest infection. He was admitted to Royal Chesterfield Hospital the following day after collapsing at home.

Doctors diagnosed Norman with endocarditis – an infection of the inner lining of the heart. He was discharged from hospital on 11 March, 2016, and was given antibiotics called Teicoplanin to take at home.

However, three days later he was readmitted to hospital struggling to breathe. His antibiotics were changed and his condition improved. However, on 21 March, 2016, his drugs were changed back to Teicoplanin.

He suffered a cardiac arrest on 24 March. He was taken to the hospital’s intensive care unit and placed on a ventilator to help him breathe. However, 11 days later the decision was taken to withdraw his life life-support treatment.

Norman’s wife of 49 years, Elsie, aged 72, said: “Norman was a loving husband, father and grandfather and is sadly missed from our close knit family.

“As a family we have many questions that we currently don’t have the answers to. Due to the reaction Norman experienced to Teicoplanin, I did not want him to be put back on the drug. We just want to know whether that particular antibiotic played any part in his death.

“Nothing will bring Norman back but it is important that if the inquest highlights any failings that action is taken to prevent a repeat of the suffering we have experienced since Norman’s death.”

The hearing is due to take place 18 and 19 December, 2017, at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court.

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