Family settle organ failure case for €560k

The family of a woman who died of multi-organ failure seven days after she had a hysterectomy at Mount Carmel private hospital, Dublin have settled their High Court action for €560.000.

Linda Royal, a 50-year-old mother of three, with an address at Forest Green, Kingswood Heights, Tallaght, died in September 2008, days after a routine operation.

Desmond O’Neill, for the family, told the High Court that Mrs Royal became septic and this carried on for a number of days without being noticed. She was transferred as an emergency to St James’s Hospital for an operation, and it was found that she had organ failure.

Mr O’Neill said Louis Royal lost his wife of 30 years when their third child was only 12.

Counsel said a separate action brought by Mr Royal over the loss of his wife could be struck out.

An inquest two years ago heard she developed septicaemia, or blood poisoning, caused by a rare bacteria following the hysterectomy. This led to multi-organ failure and septic shock.

Coroner Brian Farrell said he was satisfied it was a post-operative complication of an elective procedure and recorded a verdict of death by medical misadventure.

In the High Court, Keith Royal, of Brookes Mill, Prosperous, Co Kildare, sued Mount Carmel Medical Group Ltd, the owners of Mount Carmel Hospital, Braemor Park, Churchtown, Dublin; and consultant gynaecologist Mona Joyce at Mount Carmel Hospital over the death of his mother on September 29, 2008.

The family, it was claimed, suffered great distress over her death at such an early age.