A man has been paid £950,000 in compensation after doctors failed to diagnose that he had developed an abscess on his spine, leaving him severely disabled and unable to work.
The Wakefield Express reports that the man – who wishes to remain anonymous – was sent home five times from two West Yorkshire hospitals, after complaining of intense back and chest pains.
He visited Pontefract Hospital on three occasions and Pinderfields twice over a ten-day period, with medical professionals sending him on his way with painkillers, medication for heartburn and, later, a referral to a physiotherapist for a muscle tear.
Even when he was finally admitted, the man was told he must wait eight days for an MRI scan – which identified that he was in need of an urgent operation to remove the abscess.
The dad-of-two, from Wakefield, told how the £950,000 payout, agreed by the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust, has funded a specially-adapted home to help make getting about a little easier.
However, with him having to rely on a walking frame for movement, he said the money would not make up for being unable to join in normal, fun activities with his children.
“The hardest thing has been the impact on my children,” he explained. “They were very young when this happened to me, and since being left like this, I haven’t been able to do all the things a dad should do with his children.”
“I haven’t been able to play and run around with them. A settlement of £950,000 may sound a lot of money, but I feel that my kids have been robbed of their father, and that makes me very sad and angry.”
