We have recovered
compensation for our client who nearly died following a
hospital-acquired infection
caused by a superbug at Guy's Hospital in
London.
Alfred Nel almost died during an
outbreak of pseudomonas that killed one woman and infected 18
others, including Alfred, at the hospital in late
2005.
The bug is not as common
as other hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA.
A senior doctor at the hospital told
Alfred, a 44 year old plumber from Luton, that the almost fatal
blood poisoning he developed had been caused by pseudomonas carried
on medical equipment.
The bacteria was present
on an unclean
microscope that doctors used in November 2005 when they
removed a
stent that had been used to
treat kidney stones.
Alfred spent seven weeks in hospital
undergoing treatment for the superbug infection. He was close the
death.
>>Read
about the outbreak in the Guardian
Alfred was extremely unwell following his
infection with pseudomonas, and has not made a full recovery. He has
been unable to return to his work as a plumber or to pursue
sports. He has
persistent pain.
Edwina
Rawson pursued a hospital
infection claim for Alfred.
Guy's Hospital initially took a
surprisingly defensive approach to the case, but eventually the
case was settled for more than half a million pounds, without the
need to go to court.
Before the case, this superbug had
had little publicity. Edwina
was reported widely in the media as a result of this case,
including appearing on TV. She has campaigned for better reporting
of superbugs such as pseudomonas so that the full extent of the
problem can be made clear.
After the case, Alfred and his wife Veronica
said:
"We are only so thankful that our
paths crossed. You have become a very special person in our
hearts"
For further information or if you
have a hospital infection
claim, please call Edwina
Rawson on 020 7861 4105 or
email edwina.rawson@ffw.com.
You can discuss your hospital infection claim with any member of
our
medical negligence team on freephone 0800 358
3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry
form.