Damages Paid To Man Whose Wife Died During Routine Surgery At Holles Street
Alan Thawley’s case against the National Maternity Hospital for the death of his wife has been settled.
Malak Thawley died during surgery for an ectopic pregnancy in May 2016, after what her husband’s lawyers described as a ‘cascade of negligence’.
An ectopic pregancy is one where the embryo is implanted anywhere outside the womb, typically in the Fallopian tube.
The case was settled for damages only, not exemplary or aggravated damages, as had originally been sought.
The High Court heard Malak and Alan Thawley were profoundly happy at Malak’s first pregnancy, but at a six week scan found out it was ectopic, meaning the foetus was developing in a fallopian tube.
On advice, the couple went to the National Maternity Hospital, where Mrs Thawley suffered a significant bleed during what was described as routine surgery.
Counsel for Mr Thawley described what followed as a cascade of negligence.
Mrs Thawley received a cut to her aorta, she died within a matter of hours from blood loss.
The hospital has since apologised and accepted liability, but Mr Thawley sued for negligence, as well as seeking damages for nervous shock.
This afternoon the parties announced they had reached a settlement, with the final order on costs to be made next week.
The court heard damges are just compensatory in nature, with the case for exemplary damages to be struck out.