Man left a paraplegic ‘did not need operation’
John Daly, an accountant from Stoneville, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, who is effectively confined to a wheelchair has brought an action for damages against the Mid Western Health Board, consultant neurosurgeon Dr John Marks, the Cork Clinic, Western Road, Cork, and Dr Alex Stafford, a consultant radiologist at Barringtons Hospital in Limerick, for their alleged negligence for failing to diagnose that in late 2001 he was suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
As a result of that, it is claimed Dr Marks surgically removed part of a tumour on December 14, 2001, that left him a paraplegic.
In an action which commenced in the High Court yesterday, Mr Daly claims Dr Marks caused his injuries by operating on a tumour, at Cork University Hospital, when he should have known that he was suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
That condition, it is claimed, could have been treated by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
During the operation, Mr Daly alleges the blood supply to his spinal cord was damaged, which required a second operation. In addition it is claimed that Dr Marks failed to properly diagnose his condition, or properly review scans and X-rays he underwent prior to the operation on December 14.
It is claimed Mr Stafford failed to identify the extent of the tumour when reviewing the scans underwent by Mr Daly in November and December 2001.
Mr Daly further claims the Health Board caused an inadequate CT scan to be performed on him and exposed him to risk of injury.
The defendants deny the claims made against them.
The court was also informed Mr Daly has no power in his legs and suffers other health problems, including back pain.
It is claimed his quality of life has suffered and there is little prospect of recovery.
The case before Mr Justice John Edwards continues, and is expected to last for a number of weeks.
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