Family of Lytham dad who died of sepsis issue statement on decision to sue Blackpool Vic

Paul Wilkinson, 45, died at the hospital on May 31 2017 five days after being admitted with severe abdominal pain.

At his inquest last year, coroner Claire Doherty heard from independent medical experts that a simple round of antibiotics may have saved the dad-of-three's life, but the drug was not administered until May 29.

She found that he died of natural causes contributed to by neglect.

Mr Wilkinson's partner, Louise Johnson, has now decided to sue the hospital for more than £200,000.

Representing Ms Johnson, medical negligence solicitor Diane Rostron said: “Our client has suffered significantly since the death of her long-term partner Paul. The couple had three children together, the youngest of whom was only 18 months old at the time of Paul’s death and the impact on them has been devastating.

"It is our client’s case that Paul’s life could and should have been saved. At the inquest, the hospital admitted multiple failings in the care provided, including failing to give a simple course of antibiotics in a timely fashion. The coroner at Paul’s inquest delivered a rare finding of neglect.

“Our client has struggled to return to her normal employment as a local nurse due to the trauma following Paul’s untimely death and the challenges that she now faces as a single parent. Despite the admissions made at the inquest, the Trust has failed to offer any satisfactory settlement, leaving our client with no choice than to take the legal route. This conduct has further added to the family’s suffering.”