Hull hospital in £300,000 misdiagnosis death payout
The family of a woman from Bransholme who died after being misdiagnosed at a Hull hospital has been awarded £300,000 in compensation from the NHS.
Elizabeth Smith, 34, died in 2009 after doctors at Hull Royal Infirmary's A&E department failed to spot a hernia. She had been admitted with abdominal pains.
She was sent home with medication for constipation despite an earlier hernia diagnosis by a nurse at her GP surgery.
The NHS Trust said its thoughts were with her family.
Mrs Smith's husband, Simon, said: "Elizabeth was in severe pain and discomfort so I called the emergency doctor who attended and immediately diagnosed the problem.
"However, by this time it was too late and my wife passed away at home in front of me and my family."
Mr Smith, who has four young children, said her death could have been avoided and that their lives had been "shattered".
He said: "Nothing can replace the loss of Elizabeth, but we now have some financial security and I can concentrate on looking after my family."
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We are pleased that the legal process is now concluded.
"Our thoughts are with Mr Smith and his family."