Widow Compensated After Husband’s Death in Hospital

A woman whose husband died after suffering two cardiac arrests in hospital has received compensation of £160,000.

The man suffered from diabetes and ischaemic heart disease. After he had been very unwell all day, he was taken to hospital by paramedics in the evening but was not examined by a doctor for nearly two and a half hours. Rather than being referred to intensive care, he was transferred to the infectious diseases unit in the early hours of the morning. No appropriate discussion with the unit's clinical team took place. He suffered two cardiac arrests and died later that morning.

His widow subsequently sought legal advice. An investigation by the hospital found that his prospects of survival were low due to his underlying health conditions. However, an expert instructed by the coroner concluded that he would have had a good chance of surviving had appropriate care been provided.

The NHS trust responsible for the hospital admitted a number of failings in respect of the man's care but did not initially concede that these had led to his death. After the coroner found that the trust's neglect had contributed to the man's death, however, the trust accepted that he would not have suffered a cardiac arrest had appropriate care and treatment been provided.

Negotiations resulted in a settlement of £160,000 being agreed. The settlement reflects the man's pain and suffering and the loss to his family, as well as the financial impact of his death.