Hospital based phlebotomist compensated for injuries after being assaulted by patient

Jonathan Herbert, specialist personal injury lawyer acting for the claimant, successfully obtained damages of £5,000 to compensate her for her pain and suffering and financial losses after being punched by a patient she was about to take blood from.

There had been five previous recorded incidents of violence relating to the same patient.  The hospital’s normal procedure was that phlebotomists were to be warned in advance if there was a risk of patient violence.  Mrs C was not warned.  The patient, without warning and without Mrs C having the opportunity to take evasive action, punched her in the face while wearing many rings, cutting Mrs C’s lip, loosening teeth and damaging a crown.

The hospital admitted liability.  Jonathan Herbert went on to negotiate a settlement for Mrs C without the need for court proceedings to be commenced that compensated her for her injuries, but equally as important to her, to cover the cost of the dental treatment she required as a result of the assault.

Jonathan Herbert specialises in claims involving injuries sustained in the workplace.  If you would like to ask him a question about a potential case, or if you have a general query about any personal injury, contact him at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701226 in confidence.