Lavelle Partners secured a significant settlement for man who suffered a serious brain injury due to hospital negligence

Radiological examination in the form of computed tomography (CT) of the brain was undertaken which revealed a “significant acute subarachnoid and intraventricular haemorrhage in keeping with rupture of the left vertebral artery aneurysm”.  In view of the radiographic findings, our client was transferred to another hospital later that evening.

Our client underwent an angiogram to determine the appropriate method of treatment for the ruptured aneurysm.  He was advised that the aneurysm was a posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm which would be treated via clipping the following week and in the meantime, he would remain an in-patient of the hospital.

Our client suffered a seizure and a further bleed on the brain necessitating his admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).  When reviewed by a consultant following his admission to the ICU, a query was raised as to why surgery had not been undertaken upon our client’s admission to the hospital.

Post-operatively, our client’s recovery was complicated by an acute deterioration in his condition secondary to hydrocephalus.  The deterioration was apparent with the onset of tremors.  The tremors were brought to the attention of nursing staff by our client’s family, who reassured the family regarding our client’s condition.  Following a seizure, radiographic examination of our client was undertaken, which revealed the extent of the hydrocephalus and necessitated our client undergoing emergency surgery for insertion of a right sided ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt.

Resulting from the treatment afforded to our client, and in particular resulting from the delay in treating the aneurysm at the time of our client’s initial admission to the hospital, our client suffered a brain injury.

Lavelle Partners obtained expert evidence from the UK that confirmed the delay on behalf of the hospital was negligent and the delay caused his outcome to be much worse.

Proceedings were issued on behalf of our client and the case was fully defended and was mediated for a substantial sum.