O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors recently obtained a settlement of £100,000.00 on behalf of the estate of our client who sadly passed away during the course of her medical negligence claim. The case related to substandard treatment provided by a Consultant Neurologist and the settlement was made without admission of liability. Claire Hunt dealt with the matter.
Our client initially attended a Consultant Neurologist as a private patient at which stage she was prescribed medication for epilepsy. Referred into the NHS, she subsequently attended the same Consultant the following year and was advised to commence alternative medication, namely Lamotrigine. No warning was given to her about the specific risks of a rash, the need to stop the medication immediately if a rash developed or about the risk of developing life-threatening Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) associated with this drug.
Our client then took the prescribed Lamotrigine, developed SJS and required admission to hospital for several days. In addition to a rash, she developed puffy eyes, a swollen tongue and burning sensation, facial swelling, painful lips and oral mucosal ulceration, Erythema Multiforme on her abdomen, limbs, palms and soles and her toenails fell off. As such, she required treatment with painkillers including Shortec, Prednisolone, ointments and emollients. In turn, she became very self-conscious about the appearance of her skin and also suffered low mood and sleep disturbance.
The following year, our client’s diagnosis of epilepsy was reviewed and dismissed and she was instead diagnosed with Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD).
We were instructed to investigate the standard of treatment provided. We obtained copies of our client’s clinical records and instructed independent Neurology and Dermatology experts based outside Northern Ireland to prepare a number of reports and to examine our client. It was our experts’ opinion that the treatment which the Defendants had provided fell below the standards to be expected of a reasonably competent Consultant Neurologist. The Neurology expert opined that our client had been wrongly diagnosed with epilepsy and there had been a failure to obtain her informed consent to the Lamotrigine treatment. Our Dermatology expert also concluded that there was a direct link between our client commencing Lamotrigine and developing SJS. We also then obtained a further report from a local Consultant Psychiatrist who also considered that our client had suffered significant psychological upset as a result of her injuries.
Whilst it was necessary to issue High Court proceedings in order to progress our client’s case and the case was due to go to Trial, it was ultimately agreed that damages of £100,000.00 would be paid to our client’s estate in respect of the avoidable pain, suffering and inconvenience which she had endured.
Commenting on the settlement of the case, our client’s family said: “We feel that the professionalism from Claire has been nothing short of amazing. We as a family are extremely grateful for all we have experienced on behalf of Mummy. Claire guided us through every step of the process with clear explanations and prompt communication.
Claire’s dedication to detail gave us confidence and the outcome reached ensured Mummy’s voice and ours as a family was heard. We would like to thank Claire for the endless hours she gave to this.”
