An inquest is an inquiry into the cause and circumstances of a fatal accident. Here are just some examples of case settlements following inquests into deaths.
Fatal accident claim / case won following a 5 day trial
Failure to diagnose and treat appendicitis in pregnancy leading to the death of child.
Kris Inskip reports his clients’ recent success at a 5 day Trial.
On 22nd December 2005, Jodie Morris was admitted to Treliske hospital, Cornwall with abdominal pains, vomiting and nausea. At the time she was nearly 24 weeks pregnant. Without a formal diagnosis having been made she was discharged home on 24th December.
On discharge it was considered that Jodie had a possible urinary tract infection. Jodie was in fact suffering from appendicitis. She was re-admitted to hospital on 28th December. By that time her appendix had ruptured.
She underwent an emergency surgery to remove the appendix on 28th December. She went into spontaneous labour on 29th December and gave birth to her daughter, Ashley. Ashley was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit but sadly her condition deteriorated and a decision was taken to withdraw life support. Ashley died in the arms of her parents.
Jodie and Stevyn Gent, Ashley’s father, brought a medical negligence claim for damages for bereavement, on behalf of Ashley’s estate and for the psychiatric injuries which they both suffered as a result of their experience and the circumstances of Ashley’s suffering and death.
Liability was fully contested throughout. Shortly before the trial damages were agreed, subject to proving liability.
Following a 5 day trial in front of His Honour Judge Cotter QC, Jodie and Stevyn established that Jodie should have been kept in hospital until the provisional diagnosis of urinary tract infection had been confirmed or excluded by culture analysis; had she remained in hospital, urinary tract infection would have been excluded, her worsening symptoms indentified and appendicitis would/should have been diagnosed; Jodie would/should have undergone appendicectomy prior to rupture; with the benefit of timely surgery, Ashley would have survived and Jodie and Stevyn would not have suffered psychiatric injury. Jodie and Stevyn recovered the agreed damages.
Kris Inskip represented Jodie Morris and Stevyn Gent. Counsel was Darryl Allen of Byrom Street Chambers.
Here are the kind words of Jodie and Stevyn about the service they received from Pannone Solicitors:
"We would like to thank Pannone for everything they have achieved on our clinical negligence case. In our opinion this company is second to none. We are extremely pleased with the outcome especially after the amount of hard work that has been done by Pannone and the experts involved, and for the caring sensitive and professional way that you dealt with us, justice was served. Thank you everyone.
Without the support that we received from our solicitor and his team we would have walked away from this case at several points, as it has been an emotional roller-coaster lasting 6 years, the thought of going to trial was terrifying and we felt we could not go through with it, the support that we received from our solicitor and barrister was amazing.
The result could not have been achieved without the vast knowledge, experience, determination, integrity and very high standards of communication of Pannone. We would encourage any person in a similar situation to be strong and continue. Our case is a good example as to why it is so important to be heard so that changes can be made. For us this case was a matter of principle and we can now put it behind us and get on with the rest of our hves knowing that we did all that we possibly could do."
Stevyn Gent & Jodie Morris
Click here to see the full judgment of the court
Inquest / death following cardiac surgery: settlement £115,000
We acted on behalf of the family of a lady who died following cardiac surgery
The patient underwent an angioplasty to treat angina. During that treatment, her artery was pierced. The surgeon failed to notice that this had happened.
The patient was unwell following the procedure but nursing staff failed to realise the seriousness of her condition.
She suffered a cardiac arrest, irreversible brain damage and died as a result. We were able to settle the claim on behalf of her husband and 3 children, securing damages of £115,000.
If you and your family have suffered in this way and would like to make a claim against those responsible take a look at our inquest and surgery claim pages.
