The family of a Nathan Mayes who died on 1st January 2015 have recovered compensation in the sum of £45,000, together with full costs, in relation to his death.
Having become unwell on St Stephen’s Day 2014, the parents of the young boy, then aged almost 2, presented at the Emergency Department of the Ulster Hospital. His parents reported that Nathan had suffered a seizure at home with associated fever and respiratory symptoms. After spending several hours in the Emergency Department, he was admitted to ward-based Paediatric care for further management.
Whilst on the Ward, Nathan suffered a further unobserved deterioration in his condition. Notwithstanding the fact that his oxygen monitor alarmed on a number of occasions, Nathan was not assessed or observed by attending nursing staff and no observations were taken or recorded. By the time the deterioration in his condition was noted, Nathan’s oxygen saturations had dropped to a dangerous level. Whilst resuscitation was being attempted, the Nathan suffered a tonic seizure and never regained consciousness. He was intubated and transferred to the Regional Paediatric Intensive Care Unit where, notwithstanding efforts made, Nathan tragically died on 1st January 2015, a couple of days before his 2nd birthday.
The parents of Deceased originally consulted two other firms of Solicitors. Ultimately, some six years after Nathan’s death, they approached and instructed Patrick Mullarkey of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors in February 2021. Investigations were undertaken, independent expert medical evidence was commissioned, an Inquest was secured and proceeded, and civil proceedings were issued against the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust alleging negligence in relation to the medical care and treatment care afforded to Nathan prior to his death. We obtained, on behalf of the next of kin, medical evidence from independent experts including Paediatricians, Neonatologists, a Neuroradiologist and an independent Nursing Consultant, which supported the family’s allegations of substandard care.
Pursuant to the issue of proceedings against the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, the parties negotiated and agreed settlement, recovering £45,000 damages plus full costs, including the costs of the Inquest. The Settlement Terms were executed without admission or adjudication of liability.
Christopher Mayes, Nathan’s father comments,
“We cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Paddy and his team of solicitors. From the very first meeting, they demonstrated a profound understanding of the emotional turmoil our family was experiencing in the aftermath of the loss of our son, Nathan. Their professional approach, combined with a genuine sympathy for our situation, was a refreshing change after our disappointing experiences with the Health Service and two other solicitors who failed to advocate for our needs. Paddy and his team took the time to listen to us, validate our feelings, and guide us through the complexities of our case with compassion and expertise”.
“Thanks to their unwavering support and dedication, we were able to move forward from a place of uncertainty to one of empowerment and hope. Paddy’s knowledge of the legal system and his commitment to seeking justice for Nathan ensured that our family were no longer left in limbo. Their tireless efforts not only helped us obtain the justice we deserved but also provided us with a sense of closure in a difficult time. I wholeheartedly recommend Paddy and his team to anyone seeking professional and compassionate legal assistance”.
