30 September Case Updates Aspirin and haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome Psychology, Psychiatry, Pain Medicine, 10. Records Assessments and Site Visits, General Obstetrics, Rheumatology, 11. Report Writing, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence This is an important judgment for obstetricians as it shows in precise detail how the court, relying on not just the experts’ evidence but a critical analysis of the literature on which they relied, decided whether the claimant would have avoided developing HELLP had she been advised to take 75 mg aspirin at 12 (or 14) weeks instead of at 23. Twelve publications were put under the microscope and considered also in the light of research concerning the relative value of aggregate data and individual participant data. Although the issue in this case was the prevention of HELLP, it may be an important judgment to consider in pre-eclampsia cases. De Francisci v Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (County Court, Basingstoke sitting at Southampton, 9 May 2024) Case No: F16YM828
11 March Case Updates Degenerative or traumatic spinal damage? Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, Ireland, Neurosurgery, Pain Medicine, Paediatrics Radiology A common issue in personal injury orthopaedic cases is whether the damage of which the claimant complains is degenerative or traumatic in origin or a combination. This case illustrates for specialists in neurosurgery, orthopaedics, pain medicine and radiology how the court resolved conflicting expert evidence. It also illustrates the risks of reliance on the claimant’s self-reported history, especially if they have taken it upon themselves to research into areas of medical and legal expertise. Rezmuves v Birney [2024] IEHC 592
8 August Case Updates Chapman v Mid & South Essex NHS Foundation Trust [2023] EWHC 1290 (KB) Negligence, Literature, Pain Medicine, Disc prolapse, 11. Report Writing, 13. Experts Discussions and Joint Statements, 15. Giving Oral Evidence “Going weak at the knees - allegedly negligent delayed diagnosis and treatment of a thoracic disc prolapse”