Category: Duty of care

Breach of duty, Causation, Duty of care, Expert Evidence

“But for” vs Material Contribution and the burden of proof – Andrews v Greater Glasgow Health Board [2019] CSOH 31

In this post Vanessa Cashman of 12KBW examines the recent decision of Lord Pentland [siting in the Outer House of the Scottish Court of Session] in Andrews v Greater Glasgow Health Board [2019] CSOH 31.

Summary

The deceased attended hospital with vomiting and diarrhoea, both black in colour and was discharged with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis. She was taken back to hospital the following day where extensive necrosis of her bowel was discovered. She died the next day.

Breach of duty, principally in relation to whether she should have been admitted on her initial attendance, and causation were in issue. D’s case on causation was that C couldn’t prove when her acute deterioration occurred and therefore couldn’t prove that admission would have prevented her death.

The Court considered the relevant test for causation and considered that both “but for” causation and the material contribution test were satisfied.

Continue reading ““But for” vs Material Contribution and the burden of proof – Andrews v Greater Glasgow Health Board [2019] CSOH 31” →

Breach of duty, Duty of care, Expert Evidence

Early Chemo-prophylaxis in Neurosurgery and The Battle of The Experts: Lesforis v Tolias

In this post Daniel Sokol of 12KBW examines the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in YVONNE LESFORIS v CHRISTOS TOLIAS [2019] EWCA Civ 487.

In May 2018, Mr Justice Spencer found that Mr Christos Tolias, a consultant neurosurgeon, had been negligent in giving his patient heparin too early following spinal surgery. This led to the patient suffering a haematoma which, in turn, compressed the spinal cord and resulted in incomplete paraplegia.

Mr Tolias obtained permission to appeal on a single ground: that the judge failed to address the key question, namely whether giving antithrombotic medication to this particular patient within 3 hours of surgery was a breach of duty.

The appeal was dismissed.

Continue reading “Early Chemo-prophylaxis in Neurosurgery and The Battle of The Experts: Lesforis v Tolias” →

Breach of duty, Causation, Duty of care

Caparo is no panacea and hospitals’ duties are owed by medical and non-medical staff alike: Darnley v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust [2018] UKSC 50

This blog is by Helen Waller of 12 King’s Bench Walk.

Is an NHS Trust liable in negligence for the acts or omissions of its administrative staff? The Supreme Court provides an answer: a unanimous yes. Continue reading “Caparo is no panacea and hospitals’ duties are owed by medical and non-medical staff alike: Darnley v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust [2018] UKSC 50” →

Breach of duty, Duty of care, Informed consent

Surgical consent case report: materiality of risk – Montgomery vs Bolam

B v An NHS Trust

Isaac Hogarth of 12KBW instructed by Joel Onyems of OP Law (representing the Claimant) discusses a recent case which settled at JSM. The case is of particular interest due to the arguments concerning the objective nature of the test of materiality under Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] UKSC 11 and its interplay with Bolam principles.

Continue reading “Surgical consent case report: materiality of risk – Montgomery vs Bolam” →

Breach of duty, Duty of care, Informed consent

LOST IN TRANSLATION: the importance of ensuring that medical advice is understood by the patient.

In this post Ted Cunningham of 12KBW examines the recent High Court decision in NILUJAN RAJATHEEPAN v BARKING, HAVERING AND REDBRIDGE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST [2018] EWHC 716 (QB). The case highlights the importance of proper and effective communication between medical professionals and patients who do not have a good grasp of English. In circumstances where medical professionals believe that they have communicated effectively, that belief must be objectively reasonable.

Continue reading “LOST IN TRANSLATION: the importance of ensuring that medical advice is understood by the patient.” →

Breach of duty, Duty of care, Fundamental Dishonesty

NOT ME, GUV: Clinical Negligence in Prison – Who is Responsible? Razumas v Ministry of Justice [2018] EWHC 215 (QB)

In this post Rachit Buch of 12KBW examines the recent decision of Cockerill J in Razumas v Ministry of Justice [2018] EWHC 215 (QB), a case concerning two distinct issues: (i) the liability of the MOJ for negligence arising out of healthcare provided in prisons and (ii) fundamental dishonesty in relation to clinical negligence claims.

Continue reading “NOT ME, GUV: Clinical Negligence in Prison – Who is Responsible? Razumas v Ministry of Justice [2018] EWHC 215 (QB)” →

Assessment of Damages, Causation, Duty of care, Informed consent, Quantum

Meadows v Khan – wrongful birth: are additional unconnected disability costs recoverable?

In this post Vanessa Cashman of 12KBW discusses the recent decision of Yip J in Meadows v Khan [2017] EWHC 2990 (QB), a  case concerning the recoverability of additional costs arising out of a disability unconnected with the negligent failure to diagnose that led to a wrongful birth.

Continue reading “Meadows v Khan – wrongful birth: are additional unconnected disability costs recoverable?” →

Breach of Contract, Breach of duty, Duty of care

Mouldy pig nuts, forgery and an unwanted daughter – the sad case of ARB v IVF Hammersmith Ltd EWHC 2438 (QB)

In this post Tim Petts of 12KBW considers the widely reported decision of Jay J in ARB v IVF Hammersmith Ltd, a sad case involving the implantation of an embryo without the consent of the father (who had previously separated from the mother) resulting in the birth of a child he did not want.

Continue reading “Mouldy pig nuts, forgery and an unwanted daughter – the sad case of ARB v IVF Hammersmith Ltd EWHC 2438 (QB)” →