You are in: Home Page |
News Desk | News Story
11th May 2009
£400,000 compensation for Antibiotic overdose
Overdose of antibiotic while in hospital
An assistant social worker was forced to give up the job she loved after she received a medication overdose while she was in hospital for a hip operation.The 60-year-old from Stockton on Tees, who does not wish to be named, has received £400,000 in damages after help from Thompsons Solicitors to claim compensation.
She was given an overdose of the powerful antibiotic Gentamicin intravenously while in North Tees Hospital for a routine hip operation. The drug is used to fight infection but extended use and high dosages can result in serious and permanent injury to the inner ear balance organ.
The mother of three was given the drug for over a month and is now virtually housebound. She likened her condition to having constant vertigo which impacts on every move she makes.
It has left her with problems of dizziness, difficulties in balancing and mobility.
No cure for condition which will get worse
There is no cure for the condition, which she has been told will get worse as she gets older.
She said: “Everyday life is unbearable at times. There are lots of things I just cannot do anymore. At times I’m virtually housebound and I rely on my children to support me.
“I’ve had to give up the job I loved. I had worked my way up the ranks to become an assistant social worker and I would still be working today had I been treated with Gentamicin correctly.”
“I decided to pursue compensation because I couldn’t believe that this mistake could be made and I wanted the hospital to make sure it never happened again.”
Hospital admitted liability
The client contacted Thompsons Solicitors which pursued a claim for compensation. North Tees Hospital admitted liability and has now updated its policy for treating patients with Gentamicin.
Janet Allan from Thompsons Solicitors’ Newcastle office clinical negligence team said: “Gentamicin may be harmless when used sparingly. However, it is a very potent antibiotic such that, when used inappropriately, can cause serious long term damage to the patient.
“It is the hospital’s responsibility to ensure that every member of staff prescribing this drug is aware of its potentially very serious side-effects if administered incorrectly and that they follow the strict guidelines to ensure patients are kept safe.”
Compensation Claim Advice
If you or anyone you know has suffered from any form of clinical negligence, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all matters relating to clinical negligence and will be able to advise you as to whether or not you have a valid compensation claim. Our specialist clinical negligence lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
Injured
Is it costing you money?Claim compensation
Call us on 08000 224 224
