Dearbhla O’Hanlon of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors recently obtained a settlement of £137,500 on behalf of our client who suffered injuries due to a Neurological misdiagnosis.
Our client was seen in the Neurology Department, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, in relation to episodes of headaches, blurred vision, tiredness, weakness and trembling episodes. Our client was diagnosed as suffering from partial seizure epilepsy which transpired to be incorrect. Our client was treated with a number of anti-epileptic medications over the following years in association with the diagnosis. Our client also underwent a lumbar epidural blood patch procedure as a form of treatment.
Our client was subsequently recalled as part of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Neurology Recall and, following investigations and examination, there was no evidence of any Neurological deficit, which meant the initial diagnosis was incorrect, the medication prescribed in association with that diagnosis was incorrect and further, the blood patch procedure was unnecessary.
As a consequence thereof, Dearbhla O’Hanlon was instructed to investigate the standard of care our client received. The Plaintiff was concerned that they had been misdiagnosed and queried the necessity of anti-epileptic medication in light of the conclusions of the Neurology Recall. Our investigation involved collation of extensive medical records and instruction of a wide-ranging team of medical, care and financial experts, based in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The experts were critical of the care our client received and documented in detail how these events negatively impacted the Plaintiff, both physically and mentally, as well as the significant financial loss sustained by our client.
The case proceeded in the High Court of Northern Ireland and we secured an admission of breach of duty from the Defendant Trust during the proceedings.
Negotiations between the parties commenced in the lead up to the trial date and those negotiations proved to be successful with the matter settling in the sum of £137,500 in respect of the avoidable pain, suffering, inconvenience and upset our client endured, plus costs. The case has been resolved without the need for a trial and our client will recover all costs incurred in association with the matter.
Commenting on the outcome, our client stated “Dearbhla – all your hard work, I couldn’t have done it without you. Your patience and kindness kept me calm. You believed in me and that meant a lot. Hope you enjoy the flowers, you deserve them and so much more. Thank you so much”.
