Accident and emergency team fail to administer life-saving medication
Richard was diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumour at the age of forty-three and, though he made a full recovery and was subsequently in good health, he required life-long hormone replacement treatment (HRT).
Both Richard and his family were aware that, as a result of his condition, in the event of any other injury he would require a double dose of hydrocortisone medication to prevent a seizure.
When Richard was sixty-seven years old, he was involved in a minor traffic accident when his car encountered a collision with two other vehicles.
When the paramedics attended the scene, it was reported that Richard was shaken up but fully responsive. He walked to the ambulance unaided and confirmed to paramedics that he was allergic to penicillin. He also detailed the medication he was taking in respect of his HRT and gave them his wife's contact details.
Upon arrival at Stafford Hospital accident and emergency department, he again confirmed these details and was admitted to a hospital ward for observation.
The next day, Richard's condition started to deteriorate. Meanwhile, his family had not yet been contacted. A brain scan was carried out and the results were clear. However, his condition continued to deteriorate and on the following day he suffered a seizure and was pronounced dead.
Even after the death was confirmed, the hospital still failed to inform Richard's family and his wife, Barbara, only found out about her husband's death via an acquaintance some three hours later.
Barbara firmly believes that her husband's condition deteriorated because he wasn't given his daily medication or the hydrocortisone he needed following the road accident. As Richard had visited the hospital on several previous occasions, his medical notes would have clearly indicated his need for hydrocortisone and the prescribed daily medication he was on.
Our solicitors helped Richard's family to recover a significant compensation settlement.
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