The family of a Polish man, who died of botulinum poisoning that doctors failed to diagnose, has been awarded more than £200,000 in compensation.

The man came to the UK in 2002 to help support his wife and daughter back in Poland. A year later, a Polish friend came to visit, bringing with him some Polish delicacies including sausage meat. Both men ate the food the night before the friend returned to Poland.

On returning to Poland, the man’s friend began to suffer from visual disturbances and nausea. In a Polish hospital he was diagnosed as suffering from botulinum poisoning and was given an anti-toxin. He was discharged from hospital ten days later.

The Polish man living in the UK suffered the same symptoms and visited a UK hospital. There he complained of blurred vision, a sore throat and nausea, amongst other symptoms. He told doctors that he was sure the illness was caused by the sausage meat he had eaten, but no further action was taken by hospital staff.

Later, his condition deteriorated and he suffered a cardiac arrest and brain damage. He was transferred to a hospital in Poland where, unfortunately, his condition did not improve and he died.

The man’s family brought a claim for compensation against the UK hospital for failing to diagnose the problem.

If you or a member of your family is injured as a result of negligent medical treatment, we can help you obtain an appropriate settlement.