In June 2005, one of our clients (who was aged 57) was suffering from left-sided sciatica, brought on by a lifting accident at work. Following an MRI scan, she was advised that she had an L4/L5 disc prolapse. She was advised to have an epidural injection. This was duly carried out by a doctor at a local private hospital in July 2005. Shortly after the injection, she began to suffer from nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. She then went onto to suffer from a number of grand mal epileptic seizures which caused her to fracture her humerus. It is our case that our client had been suffering from a condition called hyponatraemia caused by dehydration following her epidural. This should have been recognised by the medical staff prior to her seizures and if she had been given an intravenous infusion of saline, her injury could have been avoided.
This was disputed by the MDU acting for her doctor and the solicitor representing the nursing staff at the hospital and proceedings had to be issued at Swindon County Court. Shortly before this matter was due to be tried by a Judge, the Defendants acknowledged the merit of her claim and we were able to settle it. Although, she has been unable to return to work, this is due to her other unrelated orthopaedic problems.
S J Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £17,500 for this client in 2009