Nick’s Tragic Story: A delayed diagnosis and its consequences
Nick suffered a massive stroke when doctors attempted to remove a tumour that should have been diagnosed and treated several years earlier. Tragically, he passed away a few years later from a cardiac arrest.
Pursuing a Medical Negligence Claim
Janine Collier, Partner in Tees’ medical negligence team, supported Nick’s widow in pursuing a claim against Nick’s optician and ophthalmologist. The claim was based on a delay in investigating a visual field defect, a known indicator of a brain tumour.
A life full of promise
Nick, a man in his 40s, was fit, healthy, and happily married to Barbara. He had always worked hard to provide for his family, and together, they looked forward to a long and fulfilling retirement.
However, their plans were shattered when Nick was diagnosed with a brain tumour and subsequently suffered a catastrophic stroke due to surgical complications.
The initial warning signs
Years before his diagnosis, Nick visited his local optician for blurred vision in one eye. After conducting a visual field test, the optician diagnosed him with a lazy eye. Despite Nick’s concerns, the optician referred him to the ophthalmology department at his local hospital.
The ophthalmologist concluded that Nick had impending presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition, and discharged him without further investigation.
A devastating diagnosis
More than five years later, Nick experienced blurred vision, speech difficulties, and weakness in his arm and leg. Brain imaging revealed a pituitary adenoma, a brain tumour pressing on critical structures.
As Nick’s condition worsened, he underwent surgery to remove the tumour. Due to its size and invasiveness, only a partial removal was possible. Sadly, during a subsequent surgery, Nick suffered a major stroke, causing permanent damage.
Living with the aftermath
The stroke left Nick with severe mobility and vision impairments. No longer able to work, he relied heavily on Barbara for care. Despite these challenges, the couple faced their new reality together.
Unexpectedly, Nick passed away four years later from a heart attack.
How Tees supported Nick and Barbara
Nick and Barbara were devastated by the diagnosis and its consequences. They suspected the tumour should have been identified sooner and approached Tees for legal advice.
Janine Collier said, “When I met Nick and Barbara, I was struck by their resilience and devotion to each other. I wanted to help them understand what had happened and ensure they had financial security for the future.”
After reviewing the evidence, Janine discovered that the optician had detected a visual field defect—a clear sign of a brain tumour. However, this critical information was not relayed to the ophthalmologist, who failed to investigate further.
Had the tumour been diagnosed earlier, it would have been smaller, making surgery less complex and preventing the stroke. Nick would have retained his vision and avoided the life-altering consequences.
Seeking justice
Both the optician and the hospital denied liability, leading to court proceedings. The case was eventually settled after Nick’s passing.
Barbara later expressed her gratitude: “You really have made things as painless as possible, Janine. It’s been hard without Nick, but I know he’d be pleased that I don’t have to worry financially and can support our daughters.”
Compassionate legal support from Tees
At Tees, we understand the emotional and financial toll of medical negligence. Our experienced clinical negligence lawyers are here to provide compassionate support and guide you through every step of your claim, from the initial consultation to achieving a financial settlement.
If you believe you or a loved one have suffered due to medical negligence, contact our team today to discuss how we can help you seek justice.
