The family of a woman who died from septicaemia six days after she gave birth has been awarded £600,000 in compensation.

 

Jessica Palmer was admitted to hospital in June 2004 to give birth to her second child. She was discharged shortly after her baby was born even though she had both a raised temperature and heart-rate as well as low blood pressure.

 

A day after being discharged, Mrs Palmer had shown no improvement and her temperature was 40 degrees. Her husband called the midwife who was too busy to attend immediately, but came the next day. Unfortunately, when she arrived, she had forgotten her thermometer and was unable to take Mrs Palmer's temperature.

 

Two days later there was still no improvement and Mr Palmer called his wife's GP. The GP did not visit and so failed to appreciate the seriousness of her condition. The next day, Mrs Palmer attended the GP's surgery herself from where she was rushed to hospital. Sadly, by then the septicaemia had taken hold. She went into septic shock and died of multiple organ failure a day later.

 

The family's representative argued that it was clear that NHS staff had failed to manage Mrs Palmer's case properly. There had been a lack of communication between the various professionals who had treated her. The midwife, in particular, had failed to notice her high temperature and a mark on her abdomen.

 

The coroner ruled that Mrs Palmer had died from natural causes, but the NHS Trust admitted liability and expressed its apologies and profound regret for what had happened.

 

Mr Justice Openshaw, acknowledging the tragedy of the case, approved the compensation award of £600,000, including £23,667 for each of Mrs Palmer's children.