M R Law has successfully recovered damages upon behalf of the estate of a man who died alone at home after suffering a perforated acute appendicitis.

Prior to his death, Mr S had been complaining of pains in his abdomen for a number of days. He was seen by an out of hours GP and he had attended at his local hospital Emergency Department, yet no one had diagnosed that he may have been suffering a possible appendicitis, instead putting it down to a “muscle sprain” and prescribing painkillers.

After seeking treatment, Mr S died at home. He had failed to receive the emergency care required to save his life.

His family was passionate in their desire to ensure his death was properly investigated. I am pleased that we were able to assist and to resolve the claim satisfactorily. ~Robert Barker

Robert Barker, head of Medical Negligence at M R Law comments: “This was a terrible set of circumstances for Mr S and his family. He had sought medical attention on a number of occasions and at the very least, his condition at the time should have alerted those treating him to investigate whether he was suffering appendicitis, not least to rule out that as a possibility.

Instead, he was allowed to return home where he died alone unable to seek the urgent care he required. Had he received the correct treatment at the time of seeing the doctors, he would not have died.

His family was passionate in their desire to ensure his death was properly investigated and to hold to account those at fault. By taking this course of action, it ensures the standard of care increases for everybody. I am pleased that we were able to assist and to resolve the claim satisfactorily.”

If you or a member of your family has suffered complications arising from misdiagnosis or failure to provide the correct treatment, please contact our specialist medical negligence team to speak directly to a qualified and experienced lawyer.