Dearbhla O’Hanlon of O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors recently obtained a settlement of £50,000 on behalf of the family of a young man who died as a result of medical care in Northern Ireland. We were instructed to act on behalf of the next of kin of the deceased, a young single man with no dependents.
The young man enjoyed good health before his death, having no reported serious medical conditions or any medication of note prescribed to him. He suffered a collapse at home and attended hospital. Initial diagnosis was noted by a Radiologist on review of a CT head scan as cerebral contusions secondary to a head injury. It transpired that two weeks prior to the young man’s attendance at hospital, due to resourcing pressures, the treating Trust had changed their policy towards CT head scans conducted out of hours. Previously, CT head scans out of hours were read by a Specialty Registrar, however the Trust changed their policy so that they could be read by a Radiologist. On foot of the findings of the General Radiologist, no intervention was recommended and the young man was discharged with advice associated with a “head injury”.
5 weeks later, the young man collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest at home. He was transported via ambulance to hospital, where he sadly died.
The Coroner determined that an Inquest into the young man’s death would be convened. The Inquest proceeded in 2024 with evidence being given by clinicians and staff members who were involved in the young man’s care. This office obtained independent medical evidence from a Consultant Neurosurgeon based in England. The Coroner also obtained independent medical evidence from experts based in England. Independent medical experts instructed by both this office and the Coroner gave evidence at Inquest.
It transpired on post-mortem that the young man had in fact been suffering from a subarachnoid haemorrhage, which the Pathologist determined had caused the patient’s collapse 5 weeks earlier. The Coroner’s independent medical expert determined that the original CT head scan had been reported incorrectly and had been misinterpreted, as subarachnoid haemorrhage had not been identified. The medical expert opined that it would have been appropriate to recommend CT angiography with a view to neurosurgical intervention.
A Clinical Negligence matter flowed as a consequence of the Coroner’s findings at Inquest. The Trust admitted breach of the duty of care to the patient. The case settled following extensive negotiations between the parties, without the need for High Court proceedings or a trial.
By way of testimonial, at the conclusion of the action our client commented, “Outstanding service”.
