A former paramedic, who was left badley disabled after doctors removed the wrong part of his brain, has accepted a seven figure settlement of compensation for negligent brain surgery from the NHS Trust responsible for the error.
John Tunney (63) from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, had the operation in April 2008 after an MRI scan had revealed abnormalities around his pituitary gland. However, instead of taking out the tumour, surgeons took away healthy tissue during the operation which lead to a hemorrhaging in John’s brain .
The mistake left John partly blind and needing 24 hour care. He subsequently learned that the operation had not even been necessary as doctors had not checked out the results of a blood test which would have revealed that John was suffering from prolactinoma – a benign and common pituitary tumour which can be treated with tablets.
After taking legal guidance, John – who was employed by the West Midlands Ambulance Service as a paramedic for 23 years – filed a claim for negligent brain surgery compensation against the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and, after an investigation, the NHS Trust admitted liability for the dual error.
John´s solicitors began negotiations with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust over how much compensation for negligent brain surgery he (John) should be awarded and, although details of the final settlement have not been released, a settlement in excess of one million pounds has been agreed.