HSE to pay €302k over man’s death

THE wife and family of a man given some aspirin and diagnosed as having “atypical chest pain” in hospital, but who died six months later of heart disease, secured €302,500 in a settlement approved in the High Court.

The proceedings were taken by Hazel Cummins of Kilbride Grove, Bray, Co Wicklow, against the Health Service Executive who conceded liability. Mr Justice Vivian Lavan extended sympathy to Ms Cummins who has five children.

Denis McCullough SC for Ms Cummins submitted in a statement of claim that his client’s husband Alan, 39, had been working as a security guard. On June 9, 2004, he attended his GP complaining of severe bouts of chest pain which radiated to the jaw lasting about an hour and occurring with movement.