Professional negligence claims hit hospital staff

Published on 23 Jul 2010 under category: legal

Hospital staff have been accused of professional negligence after a man suffered a skull fracture and died untreated after being mistaken for a drunk.

Royal Oldham Hospital has been accused of "systematic failings" after a nurse failed to read notes on Arnold Siddall's injuries and security staff abandoned him outside, the Daily Mail has reported.

Mr Siddall was outside the hospital for almost 12 hours, suffering agonising pain.

According to the coroner's ruling, Mr Siddall's death could have been prevented if he had been treated straight away for his injuries.
The coroner said that the institution demonstrated "systematic failings".

Relatives that have experienced similar incidents of professional and medical negligence may consider calling in lawyers to discuss their claims.
The victim's family has received an out-of-court five-figure settlement and an apology for the hospital's failure to save Mr Siddall's life.

Mr Siddall's family began legal proceedings in 2008 after the man responsible for fracturing his skull was cleared of manslaughter.