Dental Negligence - Adverse Reaction To Anaesthetic - February 2007 A -v- B Trust

A, a 53 year old lady proceeded against the Trust in respect of dental treatment she received in and around 18th November 2005. A had been referred for treatment. In the letter of referral A’s own dental practitioner advised the Trust’s personnel that a certain type of anaesthetic injection had to be administered. The normal type of anaesthetic could not be used because A was allergic to same. Notwithstanding the warning given, we were instructed that A was injected with another type of anaesthetic injection which resulted in a severe adverse reaction.

A suffered from angina, has a past history of heart attacks and has high blood pressure. As a consequence of the injection A’s blood pressure rose sharply and she became unconscious. She was transferred, by ambulance, to the Accident & Emergency Department of a local hospital. She was subsequently discharged. Since the date of the incident A’s blood pressure has remained elevated.

A claim was intimated to the Trust on behalf of A by this office. We invited the Trust to engage in without prejudice negotiations prior to the issue of proceedings. The writer was originally instructed in this matter on 8th December 2005. In November 2006 the solicitors appointed on behalf of the Trust agreed to negotiate in the case. After detailed negotiation the case was settled, without admission of liability, on 13th February 2007 for a payment in the sum of £5,625 together with costs. As noted the settlement was without admission of liability.