Hospital negligence

The Claimant’s late husband was an inpatient at the Defendant Hospital for a period of approximately 3 weeks, following an emergency admission for chest pain.

Whilst an inpatient the deceased was monitored, however, his diabetes was very poorly controlled.  He therefore required sliding scale insulin following by revision of his hypoglycaemic medication, which resulted in several episodes of confusion. 

He had also been assessed as being at a high risk of falls.  Notwithstanding this, the deceased then appears to have been able to get out of bed during the night and attempted to leave the ward using a fire exit adjacent to his bed.  Fortunately, he did not suffer any injuries. 

The following day, the deceased remained muddled with unstable blood sugar levels, and again managed to leave the ward via the fire exit adjacent to his bed.  He tripped and fell whilst outside.  On this occasion he sustained extensive soft tissue injuries, to include lacerations in the supra-orbital region, lacerations of the left little finger, abrasions to the nasal bridge and grazes to both knees. 

When the deceased underwent a pressure ulcer risk assessment 29 hours following his initial admission, he was noted to be of high risk, and it was some time later, following the discovery of a sacral pressure sore, before he was provided with a pressure relieving mattress. 

The deceased therefore suffered from avoidable pain and suffering as a result of the negligence. It is not alleged that the deceased’s death was linked to the negligent treatment. 

A settlement was agreed without formal admission and £18,750 was awarded to our client.