An elderly man who fell twice while a patient at Beaumont Hospital injuring his hips has settled a High Court action for €145,000.
Retired builder Frank King first fractured his left hip and then his right in two separate falls within a few weeks of each other in 2017, Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told.
The settlement is without an admission of liability.
Frank King (77) of Trim, Co Meath had through his daughter Donna King sued the Beaumont Hospital as a result of the falls.
The King side claimed there was an alleged failure to place Mr King, who has dementia, on continuous watch and to review his earlier admissions to the hospital.
Complex medical history
In an affidavit to the court Ms King of Trim, Co Meath said her father had a complex prior medical history.
She said her father had been readmitted to Beaumont Hospital on August 2nd, 2017 with left toe infected gangrene. Surgical options including amputation of the toe were being considered.
She said in the early hours of August 7th, 2017, Mr King fell and fractured the left neck of his femur and had surgery within 24 hours of the first fall.
He remained in hospital as a date was scheduled for the toe amputation. However, she said on August 30th, 2017, Mr King fell in the toilet area and fractured his right hip.
He had to have further surgery to the right hip.
Approving the settlement Mr Justice Cross said it was a very good one and he sympathised with the Kings on the circumstances of the accident.
