HSE to pay €90k after student dies from blood clot

The family of a 19-year-old computer engineering student who died from a blood clot to his lung at Naas General Hospital is to receive €90,000 in a settlement with the HSE.

The High Court heard Ayo Akanji attended the Emergency department on the night of February 2, 2010 with palpitations and shortness of breath.

He died the following morning.

His mother Victoria Akanji of Liffey Way, Castelfen, Sallins, Co Kildare sued the HSE for damages claiming that her son was misdiagnosed at the hospital.

The case settled with no admission of liability.

Solicitor Ann Nowlan said the family is still struggling to come to terms with the death:

"Ayo died as a result of a clot to his lung, it is his mother's contention that Ayo was misdiagnosed," she said.

"It is apparent from the records that the staff at Naas General Hospital were treating Ayo for a heart condition

"It is Victoria's belief that had Ayo received the appropriate medication to dissolve the clot the tragic fatal outcome would have been prevented."