A FATHER of two died after a doctor allegedly injected him with the wrong medication to treat a bout of suspected food poisoning, the High Court was told yesterday.
Colm O’Donovan (31), Gloun North, Dunmanway, Co Cork, suffered a heart attack and died on August 7th, 2004, less than two days after he developed a gastric complaint, the court heard.
Arising from his death, his widow Patricia O’Donovan has sued both Dr Johan Dirk Van Der Meer, with an address at Sasolburg, South Africa, who allegedly treated her husband, and South West Doctors On Call Ltd trading as South Doc, of St Finan’s Hospital, Co Kerry.
It is alleged that Dr Van Der Meer was an employee of South Doc on August 7th, 2004, and it is claimed South Doc is vicariously liable for alleged actions of Dr Van Der Meer.
Ms O’Donovan, now living at Drumdowney, Mallow, Co Cork, claims Dr Van Der Meer was negligent in allegedly treating her husband with the wrong drug – namely Largactyl – which may have accelerated what was a serious illness.
It is also alleged Dr Van Der Meer failed to examine her husband properly, failed to refer him to hospital, failed to identify he was seriously ill, failed to exercise the required degree of skill expected from a GP and failed to seek a second opinion from a colleague.
In her action against South Doc, it is claimed it employed Dr Van Der Meer when it was clear he did not have the expertise or competence to carry out the services of a GP and failed to investigate his qualifications before permitting him to provide GP services.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill was told liability had been admitted by Dr Van Der Meer and the action was before the court for assessment of damages only.
It was claimed Mr O’Donovan became ill on August 5th, 2004, with suspected food poisoning. His wife contacted South Doc out-of-hours service on August 6th and, it is claimed, Mr O’Donovan attended another doctor and was given an injection.
It was claimed Mr O’Donovan then returned home but his condition deteriorated. South Doc was contacted again on the night of August 6th and a home visit was requested, it was claimed.
During the early hours of August 7th, Dr Van Der Meer attended the O’Donovans’ home and administered another injection, it was claimed. It was claimed he informed Ms O’Donovan her husband was having a reaction to the first injection and the second injection would counter that.
The case continues.