Paul
McNeil, Medical Negligence
partner, represented the family of an academic after he
committed suicide five days after he was entrusted into the care of
a psychiatric
unit in Surrey.
Professor of Law, Benjamin Pettet, aged 50, attempted to commit
suicide at home and was taken to Epsom Hospital for treatment on 17
June 2005. He was transferred to the psychiatric ward at the
hospital where he was clerked and prescribed medication.
He was not seen by a qualified psychiatrist at any point during
his stay at the hospital, although he exhibited signs of
schizophrenia and paranoia. He was also at high risk of self harm,
which had been recognised by the admitting doctors and nurses. None
of the ward staff took account of this.
Over the next few days his condition
deteriorated and he became increasingly paranoid. The ward was
chaotic and the consultant was on holiday. The junior doctor in
charge had no psychiatric qualifications. He unnecessarily delayed
the medication and did not order proper supervision and input by
the psychiatric nurses.
Paul McNeil was
instructed by the family of the deceased. Initially we represented
the family at the Inquest. The coroner found that the suicide was
contributed to by medical negligence.
We obtained expert advice and alleged that
Professor Pettet was not treated properly. He should have been
observed closely by the nurses. He should have been assessed
regularly by a psychiatrist and his medication shouldn’t have been
changed.
In addition, he was moved on his final day,
from a single room to a four bed ward. Professor Pettet was a
private man and we argued that this had been done without proper
assessment and was the catalyst which caused his death.
The claim was settled for £550,000 in October
2009 a few days before the trial.
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After the settlement, Professor Pettet's wife said:
"Paul was very gifted in finding just the right people to
help him fight the case. The medical experts, the barristers and
accountant all showed enormous dedication for their work. It made a
sharp contrast to all those who treated my husband in
hospital.
The compensation paid to me as a result of Paul's successful
work will enable me to start to relax and stop worrying about my
and our children's future".
Corry Pettet, pictured left with her
children
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For further information or if you have a psychiatric care claim please call Paul McNeil on
020 7861 4019 or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com
You can discuss your psychiatric care
claim with any member of our medical
negligence team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.