Colemans represent family in inquest into the death of Neville Caplan following missed diagnosis of a fractured spine
Mr Nigel Meadows, HM Coroner for Manchester, on the 4th November 2008 reopened an Inquest into the death of Neville Cyril Caplan, who died on 4 December 2004 whilst a patient at the North Manchester General Hospital.
He heard evidence from doctors who treated Mr Caplan whilst he was a patient at the Wythenshawe Hospital, South Manchester on 11th November 2004 and then later North Manchester General, where he was admitted on 16th November 2004. Mr Meadows also heard from his own appointed expert who commented on the care provided to the deceased.
More details can be found of the tradgedy in this story from the Manchester Evening News, but in brief, Neville Caplan had suffered a fall at home on 11 November 2004 and was admitted by ambulance to Wythenshawe Hospital. He was discharged without treatment. His condition deteriorated and he was admitted to North Manchester General on 16th November where his condition continued to deteriorate and he developed Bronchial pneumonia. He had sustained a fractured thoracic vertebrae and had rib fractures and spinal cord compression secondary to epidural haematoma as a result of the fractured thoracic vertebrae.
Mr Meadows returned a narrative verdict, concluding that when Neville Caplan was discharged by Wythenshawe Hospital there was a missed opportunity to diagnose a thoracic spinal fracture. He also concluded that but for the delay in diagnosis and had the spinal fracture been diagnosed shortly after it was sustained, by either hospital where Neville Caplan had received treatment, the condition was treatable by surgical intervention.
Mr Caplan leaves behind him a wife, children and grandchildren and is sorely missed by them. They welcomed today's narrative verdict.
If there are any questions please contact the family's solicitor Mr. Geoffrey Simpson-Scott from Colemans-ctts LLP.
Click here to read how the Manchester Evening News reported on the Neville Caplan inquest verdict.
Colemans-ctts Inquests Service
Colemans-ctts Clinical Negligence Service