The husband of Julie Ronayne has won thousands of pounds in compensation for nervous shock after witnessing his wife’s severe peritonitis following a botched operation. It was heard in court that Edward Ronayne suffered a severe psychiatric injury after witnessing his wife’s condition, which later led to him developing an “adjustment disorder”.

Mrs Ronayne developed peritonitis after undergoing a negligent hysterectomy carried out at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in 2008. The infection caused Mrs Ronayne to break out in severe swelling all over her body. After eventually making a full recovery, she sued Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, for £160,000 compensation.

“secondary victim”

Mr Ronayne then went on to sue the trust, claiming that he had been the “secondary victim” of the botched operation, which caused him to suffer a psychiatric injury. He was awarded £9,000 in compensation after Judge Allan Gore QC ruled in favour of his claim at Liverpool County Court in July 2013.

Charles Cory-Wright QC, for the Trust, argues that this win could open a floodgate of similar claims, which could cost the NHS millions. He said: “Hospitals on a day-to-day basis deal with people who are ill or vulnerable. They go there followed by their loved ones. It is unfortunately a matter of day-to-day occurrence that great emotional responses will take place in a hospital.”

If you have suffered a psychiatric injury or an injury as a result of medical negligence, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.