Compensation recovered for failure to diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis
In this case study we look at a successful medical negligence claim for failure to diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis
We were contacted by our client to assist with a medical negligence compensation claim for his late wife who sadly passed away in March 2021. We will refer to the couple in this article simply as Mr and Mrs H for confidentiality reasons.
Mrs H had several health conditions including, chronic hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver, bipolar affective disorder, and affective psychosis. Mrs H had also been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
On the 1st of March 2021, Mrs H had received her AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. However, it led to her experiencing episodes of vomiting, which prevented her from taking her usual diabetic medication because she was unable to keep the tablets down. Mrs H contacted her GP the following day and was told they would book her in to be reviewed by a nurse for her diabetes. The vomiting continued, so she contacted her GP practice again the following day and she was prescribed cyclizine, to help with the nausea.
By the 4th of March, Mrs H was still vomiting and was very unwell with confusion. The GP practice was contacted again and informed that the cyclizine was not working. Not long after, a call was made to 111 which resulted in an ambulance attending Mrs H at home. It was noted that she had been vomiting since having the vaccine, and that she had not been able to take her usual diabetic medication. Observations were carried out and it was noted that Mrs H’s glucose level was 20.0mmol/L. Mrs H was advised to contact them again if she continued to feel unwell.
The following day, the GP practice contacted Mrs H’s social worker to say that her daughter had called them seven times, advising that Mrs H was “confused and talking nonsense”. The family called for an ambulance again, due to Mrs H still feeling unwell, not sleeping, and being confused. More observations were carried out, which showed that her blood glucose levels had now risen to 24.2mmol/L. Paramedics told her that she needed to continue taking the medication, and to call them back if there was no improvement.
Unfortunately, nearly 24 hours later, Mrs H was found deceased by her daughter. A postmortem was performed, and the cause of death was Diabetic Ketoacidosis, due to a failure to control her type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis, or DKA, is a known complication of diabetes. It occurs when the body is unable to use glucose for energy due to insufficient insulin. Instead, the body breaks down fat, and this leads to a buildup of blood acids called ketones, making the blood acidic. DKA can be triggered by a variety of factors, including missed doses of insulin.
Partner Caroline Webber-Brown, who specialises in medical negligence claims took the case on, working under our popular no win, no fee arrangement. Caroline began by issuing letters of notification to the GP practice and the ambulance service, alleging that Mrs H should have been admitted to hospital for further tests due to her blood glucose levels being high and rising, and that the symptoms she was suffering from were an indication of ketoacidosis. It was Caroline’s case that if Mrs H been admitted to hospital, her blood glucose would have been controlled, and her death would have been avoided.
Following Caroline’s presentation of the claim, liability was admitted by both defendants. This led to an out-of-court settlement of the claim being reached.
How we can help with diabetic ketoacidosis claims
Our medical negligence solicitors have been rated as one of the best teams in the UK, and are experienced in dealing with diabetic ketoacidosis cases. They work on a No Win, No Fee basis, and will be happy to provide you with a free consultation.
So, for expert guidance on making a compensation claim for failure to diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis, contact our free legal helpline. Call us on 0333 888 0412, or send an email to [email protected]