Fatal Heart Attack After NHS 111 Delay – Wrongful Death Compensation

The specialist medical negligence solicitors at Fletchers Solicitors, settled a Fatal Accidents Act claim for £350,000 in compensation acting for our client’s family.

Our client, a 50-year-old grandmother, tragically died following a heart attack in 2015.

She had felt unwell throughout the day, experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain. She telephoned NHS 111 on three separate occasions, and each time was told a GP would visit her, but an ambulance was not necessary. In the early evening, she collapsed in front of her husband and son and suffered a fatal heart attack. Despite her family performing CPR before an ambulance finally arrived, she was later pronounced dead..

Inquest

Our client’s family contacted Fletchers Solicitors about her death. Our legal team represented them at the Coroner’s Inquest, where evidence was heard from the Defendant Ambulance Service (running the NHS 111 helpline) that staff had ignored protocol by not dispatching an ambulance when our client first called complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain. The family were shocked by this revelation.

Medical Negligence Investigation

Following the Inquest, a specialist medical negligence solicitor at Fletchers, wrote to the Ambulance NHS Trust requesting a formal admission of liability for our client’s avoidable death. The Trust admitted that an ambulance should have been dispatched immediately but argued that her underlying health problems meant she would have died regardless.

Fletchers Solicitors instructed experts in cardiology and respiratory medicine, who confirmed that our client’s underlying health problems did not contribute to her death. Copies of the expert reports were sent to the Defendant, who eventually conceded and made a full admission of liability for our client’s avoidable death.

Compensation Outcome

Attention then turned to assessing compensation for our client’s family. She was young, generally fit, working part-time, and providing substantial childcare for her grandchildren. A Schedule of Loss and supporting documents were submitted to the Defendant, but they disputed the valuation. Extensive negotiations, including mediation, resulted in a settlement of £350,000 to reflect the loss of financial income and services that our client would have provided but for her avoidable death.

This was a tragic case. Our team took the original enquiry call from our client’s family and worked with them for over three years, guiding them through the Inquest and Civil Litigation process to obtain answers about our client’s death.

The Ambulance Trust has since revised its cardiac call protocol.

Client Feedback

“The team acted with the utmost compassion and empathy. We are extremely grateful for his tireless efforts to achieve the best outcome for our family. He communicated clearly and provided a safety net during the worst time of our lives. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Fletchers Solicitors.”

“The medical negligence claim was managed with sincerity, warmth, compassion, and respect. The team worked tirelessly to help us find resolution and closure. They were exceptional and extremely helpful throughout. We are eternally grateful.”

How We Can Help You

Our expert medical negligence lawyers at Fletchers Solicitors specialise exclusively in medical negligence law and have renowned expertise in Fatal Claims cases.

More information about Fatal Claims can be found here, and information about our team of expert medical negligence lawyers is available here.