St James's Hospital in Dublin has apologised to the family of a 53-year-old man who died from an allergic reaction to a steroid pain injection.
Martin Staines, from Tallaght, Dublin, was treated in July 2015 for ankle pain which was caused by a fall on ice some years previously. He suffered a fatal reaction to an agent in the steroid injection known as polyethylene glycol.
Senior Counsel Michael Counihan told the High Court that Mr Staines went into anaphylactic shock and died immediately "to the complete shock and distress of his family".
He said the hospital should have known Mr Staines was allergic to the ingredient contained in the injection.
Mr Staines’ wife Lorraine sued St James’s Hospital claiming damages for a failure to manage, treat or otherwise properly care for Mr Staines and in particular failing to consider his allergy syndrome.
It was also claimed there was a failure to properly record all the known or suspected substances to which Mr Staines was allergic and a failure to appreciate a previous allergic reaction to the same steroid.
The court was told the case had settled and Mr Counihan said it was "clear the hospital was contrite "over the tragic and unfortunate event."
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed in court. The case was before the court for the ruling of the €35,000 statutory payment for mental distress.
In the letter of apology which was read to the court, the hospital expressed sincere condolences to the Staines family.
"The loss of your husband is deeply regretted by all staff and management at the hospital especially those who were involved in his care," it said.
The letter added: "We apologise for the failings that led to the death of Mr Staines. While we cannot fully comprehend the ongoing impact this loss has had on your family, we are truly sorry for the pain and distress caused to you."
Mr Staines’ widow, Lorraine told the court her husband’s death from a well recorded allergy was completely preventable.
"He was a huge presence, someone who brought warmth, reassurance, endless laughter and love to everyone around him," she said.
Since her husband’s death she said their family has carried "overwhelming grief".
The family she said had waited for ten years "for some accountability, ten years of reliving what happened on that fatal day and carrying a loss that never eases".
She told the judge she hoped that as a result of the case that change will follow and no family will have to go through what they did.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was an unusual and tragic case and expressed his deepest sympathy to the Staines family.
