A six-figure settlement has been agreed for the family of a man who died on Christmas Day as a result of a misdiagnosis of Crohn's Disease.

Malcolm Drake was told he had a strain in a muscle in his groin and died after he developed an abscess following a perforation of his bowel, leading to the family launching a clinical negligence claim.

He had been to see doctors on four separate occasions and they were unable to diagnose the Crohn's Disease.

Mr Drake's fiancee Sophie Lindop stated that she is "relieved" the battle for "justice" is now over, although she pointed out the couple's four-year-old son Zak has been "robbed" of his father.

She noted: "He starts school in a few days time and this should have been a milestone in his life which he should have shared with both his parents."

Elsewhere, the family of lorry driver Cecil Dean were recently awarded £14,000 after winning a clinical negligence case, after it was agreed he was released too early from hospital, the Sentinel reported.

Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, who heads the medical injury team at KCJ, comments: "This case is particularly sad given that the man died on Christmas day leaving a widow and young child. It is though one of the rare circumstances in which the rules for compensation for fatal cases can provide some financial security as, based on out of date legislation, they only really do so when the deceased is working and has a young family."

If you've suffered an injury as the result of clinical negligence, the team at KCJ will be happy to advise you on whether you have a claim.