Damages claim ends after woman’s death

A legal action for damages by an elderly woman who died before her appeal against the dismissal of her case was decided cannot be continued for the benefit of her estate following her death, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Bridget Doyle was 79 when she underwent surgery at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in January 2010 to remove a cataract in her left eye. The surgery was unsuccessful and she had the eye removed in February 2010 . Further complications arose, leaving her often depressed and reliant on family members for her care.

In June 2011, she initiated proceedings alleging she had not given informed consent to the surgery and administration of a general anaesthetic. The claims were denied.