We pursued an anaesthetic negligence claim for the widow of
John who died as a result of an anaesthetists error while he was
undergoing heart surgery. The claim settled for almost half a
million pounds.
Fifty-six year old John was admitted to hospital for a secondary
coronary artery by-pass operation as a private patient.
John had a history of asthma but the anaesthetist
failed to examine him during a pre-operative assessment.
During the by-pass surgery, John suffered an asthma
attack while under anaesthetic.
Initially, the anaesthetist didn't realise that John was having
an asthma attack and when he did diagnose it, he administered a
massive overdose of Salbutamol.
This caused John to suffer a heart attack and staff were unable
to revive him.
It was alleged that John's death was caused by severe hypoxia as
a result of the delay in diagnosing and treating the bronchospasm
(asthma attack) and/or the administration of an excessive dose of
Salbutamol.
At the time of his death, John was a director of Merrill Lynch
Europe Limited and an Executive Director of Merrill Lynch
International Bank Limited.
John's wife’s claim for financial dependency was
substantial even on a limited life expectancy and the claim was
settled for £475,000, plus costs. John's wife did not have to pay
any legal fees and the case was taken on a no win, no fee basis.
For further information or if you have an anaesthetic negligence compensation claim, call
Paul McNeil on
020 7861 4019 or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com
You can also talk to any member of our medical negligence claims team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.