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Clinical negligence claim launched after post-operation death |
The widow of a man who died after surgery to repair a hernia in 2008 is taking her clinical negligence claim to the High Court.
Sharon Gilligan hopes to receive more than £50,000 in damages for the pain suffered by her partner Peter in his final days, as well as the loss of a husband and father, the York Press reports.
She believes the retired hospital worker would still be alive if staff at York Hospital had told him of the risks associated with keyhole surgery before his operation.
According to her claim, Mr Gilligan sustained a perforated bowel during the procedure, leading to an infection that ultimately caused his death.
York coroner Donald Coverdale has previously cleared surgeon Wingzou Wong of any wrongdoing, but Ms Gilligan's solicitor told the newspaper that new evidence has been obtained.
A date has not yet been set for the clinical negligence case to be heard in the High Court.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that an Essex teenager who developed cerebral palsy after being starved of oxygen at birth would receive a clinical negligence settlement of £4 million from the Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, who heads the medical injury team at Kester Cunningham John, adds:
"This case illustrates the relatively low levels of compensation awarded following the death of a loved one. It is surely incumbent on anyone representing such clients to maximise and therefore gradually increase these awards, but this is difficult given the legal framework which governs fatal accidents and which needs reform."
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