The Type Of Case We Do

GP; DELAY IN DIAGNOSIS OF CEREBRAL HAEMORRHAGE; DEATH

£100,000 following the death of a 50 year old whose cerebral haemorrhage was not diagnosed promptly.

S V DR SANFEY

Aged 50 U asked his GP to visit him at home suffering from a severe headache and neck pain that was sudden in onset and had lasted for over 24 hours.

The GP did not attend but gave advice over the telephone.

U's condition did not improve and the following day he was attended by another GP who referred him to hospital with suspected cerebral haemorrhage.

U's condition deteriorated before he could be treated, he suffered a further haemorrhage and died.

BREACH OF DUTY

It was argued U should have been visited at home and referred to hospital 24 hours earlier.

CAUSATION 

It was argued that had U been sent to hospital 24 hours earlier there would have been sufficient time to successfully treat him before his condition deteriorated.

OUTCOME

Liability was denied however the case settled without trial for £100,000