Compensation secured in two brain injury claims

Permanent brain injury following early extubation after ventilation

Paul was admitted to hospital for surgery for heart disease. He was put on a ventilator to help him breathe overnight in the Intensive Care Unit following surgery. The following morning the ventilator was removed but Paul’s condition rapidly deteriorated resulting in a cardiac arrest. He was re-intubated and ventilated but tragically it was discovered that Paul had suffered a serious brain injury because of a lack of oxygen to his brain.

Our Approach

During our legal investigation, it became apparent to our head injury solicitors that a decision to extubate and take Paul off the ventilator had been made by a junior anaesthetist without proper assessment of the risks. Problems with the ventilation equipment for Paul were also discovered. A fault with a humidifier caused secretions to build up that blocked Paul’s airway. When he was extubated and taken off the ventilator his blocked airway prevented him for breathing properly which caused the catastrophic cardiac arrest which led to Paul suffering an avoidable brain injury.

The claim was vigorously defended by the Hospital but our specialist brain injury compensation lawyers were able to secure a multi million pound settlement for Paul to allow him to live in an adapted property along with assistance from carers and therapists.

Note: Our client’s name has been changed to protect his confidentiality.

Second brain injury caused after improper supervision

Daniel, had already sustained a brain injury when he approached. He was admitted to hospital to undergo a bilateral cranioplasty from a brain injury rehabilitation unit but he was not appropriately supervised following the operation and fell down some stairs rendering him unconscious and causing a further severe brain injury. Because of this, Daniel lost his physical independence and suffered from a severe speech disturbance, left sided paralysis, loss of vision and swallowing difficulties.

Our Investigation

Our traumatic brain injury solicitors argued that Daniel should have been properly supervised following his surgery. The nursing staff were well aware of Daniel’s original brain injury but failed to carry out a detailed risk assessment and to properly ensure Daniel’s safety which would have prevented the fall and the further brain injury.

The Outcome

Daniel was awarded significant compensation that enabled him to have extra “top up” care at a specialist nursing home as well as compensation to meet his other needs now and in the future. The compensation also enables him to get Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy as well as purchase equipment to facilitate his disability.

Comments by “P’s” family

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sahida and the team. The claim was handled efficiently and ran smoothly and we were kept appraised at all times. I would be happy to recommend Sahida and the team to my friends and family as the compensation which our son has received will allow him to enjoy the remainder of his life”.

Note: Our client’s name has been changed to protect his confidentiality.