A woman who claimed her husband died after he was given an antibiotic to which he was allergic has settled her High Court action for an undisclosed sum.
The court was told that 73-year-old James Egan was given penicillin related medication a number of times after coronary bypass surgery at the Mater Hospital in Dublin in 2017.
His widow, Nuala Egan from St Pappins Road, Glasnevin brought the action on her own and her family's behalf against the hospital arising from Mr Egan's death in April that year.
In her High Court action it was claimed that from around 21 January to 25 January, 2017, Mr Egan was administered penicillin or a related medication despite allegedly having an allergy to penicillin.
It was claimed that his face, hands and arms became swollen and he suffered breathing difficulties, was bed ridden and had a tracheotomy to help his breathing.
The court was told that Mr Egan suffered a heart attack on 31 January, 2017, and that a blood clot was later identified. Ten days later, on 10 February, 2017, Mrs Egan and her children were informed Mr Egan had sustained a significant hypoxic brain injury.
It was alleged that on 21 February, 2017 and from 15 March to around 19 March of that year he was administered a penicillin related medication. It is claimed that Mr Egan suffered a number of infections and that, on 4 April, 2017 Mrs Egan got a call from the hospital saying her husband had become profoundly unwell.
She claimed that when she got there, she was told her husband had 15 minutes to live but, when she entered the room, it was evident to her he was already dead.
Mrs Egan, it was claimed, was shocked, upset and traumatised and suffered nervous shock. The claims were denied.
Approving the confidential settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross offered his sympathy to Mrs Egan and her family on their loss.
