Legal News

Andrew Downes, a critically acclaimed British composer has been left wheelchair bound after a hospital bungled his diagnosis.

Andrew Downes, from Birmingham, has won his negligence case against The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust.

Now the medical law experts are working out with Andrew to ensure that he receives the necessary funds and support to provide him with the life long rehabilitation which he would require to live as independently as possible.

The medical staff at the Russels Hall Hospital in Dudley failed to diagnose a fractured back of the 61 year old when he fell at his home in October 2009.
He was given morphine after complaining of severe back pain but the hospital diagnosed a urine infection and failed to send him for an X-ray which would have highlighted his fractured spine.
As the diagnosis was delayed he lost all feeling in both his legs after developing a complete spinal cord injury, his medico legal experts said.
Mr Downes who has travelled around the world attending performances of his compositions said the back pain was far worse than anything he had ever experienced and he knew something was wrong.
He said that it was terrifying to be walking around one day and then unable to move even a little in a span of 24 hours.
'He went back to work just 10 months after the fall, and is now hosting a 10 year anniversary concert in aid of Paraplegic Sports in Birmingham in October but said he is devastated he cannot run around and play with his three young grandchildren.
He added now the trust having admitted their mistakes he hoped they would take note and improve their care in future.
His lawyer a medical law expert said that though Andrew appreciates the trusts admissions and feels some justice been done the hospital should learn from its mistakes and bear that substandard level of care that Andrew received would not be repeated again.