Woman left with permanent dizziness after drug error
Rebecca Drew secured a six-figure settlement for her client Danielle who suffered ototoxicity from being over-prescribed gentamicin for endocarditis under the care of St Bartholomew's NHS Foundation Trust.
Danielle, in her late 40s, was born with five holes in her heart and no aortic valve, which has required several operations in childhood and as an adult. Despite this rare occurrence, she was otherwise in good health with no medical problems.
She became unwell and visited her GP with fever, vomiting, and general illness, and was advised to take fluids and paracetamol. Her symptoms worsened and she attended A&E at St Peter’s Hospital in Ashford where an echocardiogram was planned, and a six-week course of Gentamicin was prescribed. She was transferred to St Barts Hospital on day 5 where endocarditis was proven.
The scans showed that Danielle had a right ventricular-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit infection, and she was admitted to hospital, where she continued being treated with Gentamicin. Upon discharge, she continued IV Gentamicin with a District Nurse for two more weeks, completing a six-week course of the drug.
Unfortunately, her poor health continued, and Danielle was then admitted to St Barts hospital and again prescribed Gentamicin. She was not at any point warned of the signs of toxicity of drug, such a dizziness and vomiting, and was not told that it should be stopped immediately if these occurred.
Danielle started to experience dizziness, which she reported to her medical team, but her Gentamicin treatment was not stopped for another week. During this time, she became very weak, started committed and the dizziness intensified. As the drug continued to be administered, she suffered irreversible bilateral vestibular damage which causes ongoing dizziness, imbalance, and visual disturbances.
Danielle has trouble walking for any distance and is assisted by her husband and children daily. Due to the damage from the ototoxicity, she has been forced to give up her job as a cleaner.
Fieldfisher were instructed in a complex medical negligence claim and Rebecca built a compelling case. Expert evidence found that the damage to would have been reversible if the Gentamicin had been stopped as soon as Danielle reported dizziness. Sadly, due to the delay it is permanent.
Attempts to settle the claim were refused by The Trust, so the case went to mediation and eventually a settlement was reached. Rebecca secured damages of £165,000 for Danielle, an increase on the £100,000 initially offered by the Trust.
After the settlement Danielle said: "Justice is not just about the law; it's about understanding the human experience. As my solicitor, Rebecca was committed to providing thorough, caring representation, ensuring that my voice was heard and every detail mattered. Thank you so much for all you and the team have done for me."
Contact us
For further information about hospital negligence claims or medical negligence claims, please call Rebecca Drew on 0330 460 6806 or email rebecca.drew@fieldfisher.com.
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