Williams v Bermuda Hospital Board [2016]

Click here for the Supreme Court’s Press Summary.

Facts:

• Mr Williams attended hospital for abdominal pains.
• A CT scan was ordered at 13:10 but not performed until 17:27.
• The scan results were not read until 19:30.
• By which time Mr Williams’ appendix had ruptured and pus was coursing through his body and causing damage to his heart and lungs.
• He is claiming that had the scan and results not taken as long as they did, he would not have suffered as much as he did.

Problems:

• Even though the correct course of action was taken, was the delay unjustified and could it be proven that this delay caused more damage?

Decision:

• The courts found that the delay was so severe that it had definitely contributed to the injury sustained by Mr Williams.
• He was awarded $60,000 in damages.