The family of a woman who collapsed and died after she was prescribed a penicillin medicine have settled their High Court action. Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told yesterday the settlement was without admission of liability
Maria Daly (52), a widow and mother of five, collapsed and died at her home in St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, some time after she attended her doctor in October 2007, the court heard.
Her son Peter Daly, Ann Brook Heights, Nenagh, had, on behalf of the family, sued Patrick Nugent, a now retired GP who had practised from a surgery in Nenagh, as a result of Ms Daly’s death on October 24th, 2007.
It was claimed Ms Daly attended Mr Nugent’s surgery complaining of breathlessness. It is claimed that despite the doctor allegedly knowing she was allegedly allergic to penicillin, he prescribed an inhaler and Augmentin penicillin tablets.
Ms Daly, it was alleged, returned home, took the Augmentin tablet and collapsed soon after. She was rushed to St Joseph’s Hospital, Nenagh, but died later that day.
Dr Nugent had denied negligence and has also denied Ms Daly was allergic to penicillin as alleged or at all. He claimed she had been prescribed and taken penicillin- type products on a number of occasions in the past with no reported or recorded side effects.
