Our client, an 80 year old had been admitted to the Defendant hospital as a result of feeling unwell and was diagnosed as being slightly anaemic. Following a blood transfusion she was discharged home with a course of what she believed to be Iron Supplements.
She took the prescribed medication for just over a 2 week period
as directed and as a result became increasingly confused, dizzy and
weak. As a result of these side effects she suffered a fall
during which she sustained fractures to the tibula and fibula of
her left leg.
It transpired that she had been negligently dispensed Gabapentin
(a very strong pain killer) as opposed to Ferrous Sulphate (an Iron
Supplement ).
She then required a prolonged 6 month stay in hospital followed by
intensive physiotherapy at a rehabilitation care centre before
being discharged home. As a result of the fall, she was no
longer independent and required caring assistants to visit her at
home twice daily in addition to other assistance around the home
from family members.
Our Medical Experts concluded that she had suffered the typical
side effects of Gabapentin, such as becoming forgetful,
dizzy, weak and disorientated and as a result of the side effects
she had fallen and injured herself. They further concluded that as
a result of the fall and injuries to her left leg her mobility and
subsequently her independence had been affected.
Once we set out the details, the hospital quickly accepted
liability for mis-dispensing the medication and matters were
settled without the need to Issue Court Proceedings.
Damages of £45,000 were obtained for the Claimant.
Time Scale
Public funding was granted to investigate the Claim in 2007 and
matters were successfully concluded in May 2009 without the need to
Issue Court Proceedings.