Case Facts
Miss J was taken to hospital by ambulance, after she experienced a sudden and severe headache. She could not stand independently but was discharged and diagnosed with auditory vertigo. She was unable to walk to a taxi and had to be pushed outside in a wheelchair by a hospital porter.
The following day, she was found collapsed on her bedroom floor and was barely breathing. She was taken to hospital and underwent a CT scan which identified a left sided cerebellar hypodensity with obstructive hydrocephalus. She was admitted to ICU and diagnosed with embolic infarct with subsequent haemorrhage transformation. She developed sixth nerve palsy resulting in diplopia (double vision) and a squint
The Claimant underwent a period of rehabilitation and underwent surgery to correct a squint.
Avoidable outcome
We obtained independent expert evidence which alleged that the Claimant should have been admitted to hospital and that had she been admitted, she would have undergone a CT scan and commenced on IV therapy. Had this occurred, she would have avoided the development of a sixth nerve palsy on the left side resulting in a diplopia and a squint. The stroke could not have been avoided.
The Defendant denied both breach and causation and maintained that auditory vertigo was a reasonable diagnosis. We issued court proceedings and reached a substantial settlement for our client.