Five figure settlement for woman who suffered cardiac arrest during clinical trial

Novum Law has secured a five figure medical negligence settlement for a woman who suffered a cardiac arrest during a clinical trial for her pre-existing heart condition.

Mrs W had suffered chest pains for almost a decade. Back in 2013, an angiogram revealed she had single vessel disease and she was diagnosed with ‘stable angina’.

She was then enrolled on a clinical trial and as part of the follow-up underwent a number of repeat angiograms over the course of the next few years.

However, things unfortunately took a turn for the worse when, in 2016, during her last angiogram, Mrs W experienced excruciating pain in her chest and arm. She desperately tried to get the attention of medical staff and when they did eventually respond to her, they reassured her that everything was fine.

Tragically, this was not the case.  Shortly afterwards, Mrs W suffered a cardiac arrest due to an air embolus. She was given CPR and three shocks were administered. She was subsequently placed in an induced coma and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Fortunately, this did not lead to any lasting damage to her heart, although Mrs W developed a mild neurocognitive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Clinical Trial Medical Negligence Claim

Novum Law took on Mrs W’s medical negligence claim to prove that the treatment she received at the time of her angiogram during the clinical trial was negligent and that this had resulted in her suffering an otherwise entirely avoidable cardiac arrest.

Despite the hospital vigorously denying negligence, insisting that a cardiac arrest was a recognised complication of the procedure, Novum Law went on to successfully secure substantial damages for Mrs W.

Mrs W said:

“Thank you doesn’t feel like enough for all the help and support you have given me over the last few years. I am truly grateful for all your hard work and taking the stress away and being my voice when I felt I didn’t have one. Throughout this journey you have been kind, patient and understanding and always made me feel at ease. I am sure we are both glad this has come to an end but I won’t forget the part you played to resolve it. So a big thank you again!”

If you or a family member has experienced sub-standard care and this has led to injury, illness  or further medical complications, you may be able to make a medical negligence compensation claim. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors have lots of experience helping people. To find out if you can make a claim, call our specialist team on Freephone 0800 884 0777 or complete our online form for a free, no-obligation chat.