M R Law has successfully recovered substantial damages upon behalf of a man who suffered severe and life changing symptoms due to the excessive prescribing of zinc supplements.

A number of years ago the man underwent major surgery following an emergency admission to hospital. As part of his recovery, the hospital then prescribed zinc tablets to assist with the healing of his wounds.

Despite thereafter attending at two hospitals over a period of approximately 8 years his medication remained unchanged and he continued to take the zinc supplements.

Sadly, this led him to suffer neurological damage caused by excessive levels of zinc in his body. This affected his ability to walk and to use his hands, severely affecting the quality of his life.

Although he was eventually advised to cease taking the zinc supplements, the damage had been done and his neurological symptoms would never improve.

Robert Barker, head of the Medical Negligence team at M R Law who dealt with the case comments:

This was an extraordinary case. Those supplements are available as over-the-counter medication and it is not generally appreciated the potential complications that can arise if taken to excessive levels.. ~Robert Barker

“This was an extraordinary case. Our client was prescribed zinc supplements to aid his recovery. Those supplements are available as over-the-counter medication and it is not generally appreciated the potential complications that can arise if taken to excessive levels.

In this case, the hospitals should have advised our client to stop taking the zinc supplements many years ago during his regular medication reviews. He suffered an overdose of zinc, also affecting the copper level in his body and the consequences for our client were devastating.

The case required extensive investigations over a lengthy period against multiple parties, in particular to show the problems caused by the zinc supplements.

Eventually, two different hospitals accepted that they were at fault for failing to stop the supplements many years beforehand. Thereafter, we were able to secure a substantial award of
damages for our client based on the difficulties he would experience for the remainder of his life.”

If you have suffered complications arising from the incorrect prescribing of medication, please contact our specialist medical negligence team to speak directly to a qualified and experienced lawyer.