In a very sad case, we acted for the widow of a young man (aged only 39) who died at home during October 2004 following a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He had attended both Cheltenham General Hospital and Cirencester Hospital during the weeks before his death, complaining of chest pain.
This was a difficult case as even if the potential danger had been diagnosed earlier by one or both hospitals and the deceased underwent surgery, there was a difference of opinion between the parties’ experts on whether his death could have been avoided. Any settlement figure therefore had to be heavily discounted to reflect the litigation risk i.e. that our client may be unsuccessful with her claim.
In the first instance, both hospitals disputed liability. Proceedings had to be issued and, shortly before this matter was listed for trial, the parties were able to reach a settlement.
S. J. Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £100,000 for this client in 2009