A different sort of English Patient
By michelle | Posted on April 7, 2009 | Filed Under Personal Injury
A man in Britain tried to kill himself and was saved by the hospital.Â
His thanks?  The see-you-in-court kind.
(Do people say that anymore?)
Michael Dexter took 100 pills and followed it with a rum and coke in order to end his life, and he was rushed to the hospital by his family. The hospital had given him four times the correct dose of neutralizing drugs, which damaged his right arm where the IV was, causing severe burns. He now claims the arm is 75% not functional.Â
He settled with the hospital out of court for £90,000. He admits that he fully intended to kill himself at the time and in fact attempted again three years after this attempt. Apparently forgetting that upon arrival to the hospital his system was fighting a lethal dose of pills, Michael says, “There are not many people who come out of hospital worse than when they went in.” (Credit: UK Telegraph)
Michael’s statement does not capture the actual reason he had a good medical malpractice claim. He would be entitled to compensation if the hospital had deviated from its standard of care which caused the injury. Since the dosage was incorrect, that led to his successful settlement.
On that note, if his arm is truly as bad as he says it is, do you think £90,000 is really enough? He says ”I cannot even cuddle my wife with my right hand now. I’m still able to drive but I have a job putting the keys in the ignition. I can’t dry glasses or cook dinners. I used to love gardening but I don’t do that now.” He states that he has been unable to get a job since the injury as well. I think perhaps the plaintiff’s lawyer was a little afraid of the effect Michael’s story (of attempted suicide) would play out on a jury. How would it affect your perception of his claim? Leave your opinion in the comments!
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Tags: arm, hospital, suicide
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