Wenicke Korsakoff Compensation settled at undisclosed amount

A woman has had a claim for Wenicke Korsakoff compensation settled for an undisclosed sum. Avril Doyle developed the ilness after alleged negligence by her surgeon.

Ms Doyle (46), of Loughlinstown, County Dublin, was described to Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill at the High Court as an energetic bubbly and vivacious person prior to undergoing a laparotomy to treat multiple abdominal adhesions at St Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in July 2005.

Avril was discharged ten days after her operation, but had to re-admitted for more surgery on August 2 2005 after her condition deteriorated. Another laparotomy was carried out, during which part of her small bowel had to be removed.

It was claimed that, during this procedure, medical staff failed to administer the vitamin thiamine as part of Avril’s intravenous feeding and she suffered brain damage as a result. It was alleged in the action brought through Avril’s husband, Dick, against the Health Service Executive and consultant surgeon Joseph Duignan, that staff failed in their duty to monitor, test and review her “total parental nutrition” management.

As a consequence of this alleged hospital negligence, the court was told how Avril developed memory problems, became increasingly disorientated and suffered impairment to her cognitive linguistic function – a symptom commonly witnessed in cases of dementia.

After treatment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Avril was allowed to return home in April 2006 to be cared for by her husband and, more recently, by a specially employed care assistant. Avril continues to have problems with dizziness, fatigue, emotional fits and depression.

One week into the trial, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill was informed that the claim had been settled for an undisclosed sum and without admission of liability except for the failure to provide a nutritionist at the hospital during the surgery.