Medical negligence news
19/05/2010

Man permanently 'drunk' due to medical mishap

A 60-year-old from Sheffield has won more than half a million pounds in personal injury compensation after medical negligence left him permanently appearing to be drunk.

The dad-of-two's medical problems started in 2005 when he was taken to Rotherham District Hospital with a heart complaint. After being treated with twice the safe dose of the antibiotic gentamicin, the man has been left with an incurable condition which affects his balance.

Known as ototoxicity, the condition has left the man with double vision and an inability to balance. Because of his lack of co ordination, he is often mistaken for being drunk and is greeted with disgusted stares in the street.

Speaking of his medical problem, the man commented, "My life has been ruined. My balance has been permanently destroyed, my vision ruined and I constantly feel like I'm about to be sick."

After a long legal battle, medical negligence compensation of £575,000 has finally been awarded against the NHS trust.