Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust Compensation Claim

If you have been injured as a result of medical negligence at a hospital within the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust you may be entitled to financial compensation. To speak to an expert about your situation, call Quittance on 0800 376 1001.

Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (2006) case study

A 53-year-old health visitor was awarded £40,449.36 for moderately severe depressive illness caused by excessive work pressures while covering for an absent colleague at Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

The woman, 49 at the time, first fell ill in June 2001 due to work-related stress and was off for six months. She returned in December 2001 on a phased schedule with reduced hours. No liability was claimed for this initial illness.

In June 2002, a colleague went on long-term sick leave, and despite her requests for help with the increased workload, management did not provide adequate support. She relapsed into her depressive illness later that month and went off sick again. Treated with antidepressants and psychological counselling, she returned in August 2002 with assurances of no additional workload.

However, in October 2002, she was again required to cover for an absent colleague, causing a more severe relapse in February 2003. She never returned to work and her employment was terminated in October 2003 due to ill health. The illness also affected her ability to perform daily tasks, and she withdrew socially, relying on family for help.

By the time of her trial in April 2006, her condition had improved, but she continued to suffer from low confidence and social withdrawal. She remained on antidepressants and was unlikely to return to a stressful or managerial role. Judge Henriques ruled that the Trust was liable for her relapses, but noted she should be able to return to alternative work within two years of litigation completion.

See also:

Personal injury solicitors in Devon

Compensation Settlement

The claimant was awarded £40,449.36, which included £14,000 (£18,566.92 RPI adjusted) for pain, loss and suffering, and £12,500 for future loss of earnings caused by the injury. (Smith v Manchester).

Making a compensation claim against Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust

Making a claim for medical negligence can seem initially overwhelming. Hospital Trusts are large complex organisations. Just finding out what happened can be complicated.

The panel of solicitors have significant experience in taking on hospital trusts and securing financial compensation for people affected by clinical or medical negligence.

Call us on 0800 376 1001 to discuss your situation with a claims expert or find out what your claim could be worth.

Disclaimer

Case studies are for informational purposes only and aim to help prospective claimants understand the injury claim process. They are based on cases handled by Quittance panel solicitors or sourced from public court records.