In June 1995, Felicity started suffering from severe headaches,
photophobia (sensitivity to light) and vomiting. She consulted
her GP and King George Hospital on several occasions and after a
short trial of painkillers, her GP referred her to Dr Jones.
Felicity's symptoms suggested raised
intracranial pressure but Dr Jones diagnosed migraine. Two
days later, on 29 June 1995, Felicity had an episode of confusion
at work and attempted to smash up a computer.
Felicity's GP contacted Dr Jones and
asked him to see her again. He saw her that evening and was
told of her worsening physical symptoms. He considered there
was an element of anxiety and changed her medication but again did
not request a CT scan.
On July 3, Felicity was seen by Dr
Jones in his NHS clinic at the King George Hospital.
Dr Jones added another drug to her medication
and arranged a routine CT scan for 19 July 1995 but did not request
an urgent CT scan.
Eleven days later Felicity had a seizure and
was taken to hospital. The hospital noted that it was
important to exclude a space occupying lesion, however again no CT
scan was carried out.
Felicity continued to have symptoms of
disorientation, vomiting and lethargy but no action was taken by
the doctors until 17 July 1995 when Felicity had a
cardiac arrest. She did not regain consciousness and was
certified as brain stem dead on 20 July 1995.
Our expert evidence contended that had
surgery been performed before the evening of 16 July
1995, Felicity would have recovered.
Sadly, the tumour which she had (a
glioblastoma multiforme) carried a poor prognosis and the
likelihood is that she would have died from its recurrence within
18 months in any event.
Despite this advice, Felicity's husband
Mark wanted to pursue the claim. Proceedings were issued
on 20 July 1998 and served on 6 August 1998. Both defendants
denied liability.
Following exchange of expert evidence, we
made an offer to settle in the sum of £16,265 which was accepted by
both defendants.
For further information or if you have a
delayed diagnosis compensation
claim call Paul McNeil on
020 7861 4019 or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com
You can discuss a delayed diagnosis claim with any member of our
medical negligence
team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.