• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Mom who tragically died was given paracetamol overdose in hospital

Home> News> Health

Updated 15:29 24 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 15:18 24 Dec 2024 GMT

Mom who tragically died was given paracetamol overdose in hospital

Laura Higginson died in April 2017

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

The inquest into the death of a 30-year-old mom who died in hospital has concluded.

Laura Higginson died in April 2017 at Whiston Hospital in Prescot, Merseyside, UK.

She was admitted to the medical centre near Liverpool because of a suspected pneumonia diagnosis, where she was given 'staggered overdoses' of paracetamol.

Laura had a rare and serious genetic condition, which meant she was very underweight, but doctors gave her a standard dose for the average adult.

Advert

However, Laura weighed less than six stone at the time of her admittance, so should have received a dose of around half of that.

Ultimately, the coroner was unable to conclude that the overdoses had contributed to Laura's death.

Two days and six doses after her initial dose, Laura's condition started to deteriorate, and 12 days later, on 19 April 2017, she died of multiorgan failure and sepsis.

Laura Higginson (right) with her two children (Family Handout)
Laura Higginson (right) with her two children (Family Handout)

Advert

Dr Antony Higginson, Laura's husband, had previously told the coroner his wife had vomited blood and turned yellow after overdosing.

Laura was no stranger to the hospital after being diagnosed with Gitelmam syndrome in 2010, which is a rare kidney disorder that causes an imbalance of ions in the body.

On Monday (December 23), Coroner Simon Holder rejected the hospital trust's request for a death by natural causes, while also throwing out the family's point of view that Laura passed away because of neglect.

Handing down a narrative conclusion, Mr Holder said: "On the evidence I have heard, from April 5 to April 7, Laura Higginson was administered excess staggered doses of paracetamol while a patient at Whiston Hospital. It has not been proven, on the balance of probabilities, that this contributed to her death days later."

Advert

The coroner looked into whether the dosage of pain killers led to the woman's death (Getty Stock Photo)
The coroner looked into whether the dosage of pain killers led to the woman's death (Getty Stock Photo)

The coroner added: "I have heard the (Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS) Trust's submission that a conclusion of natural causes would be appropriate. That is rejected. I also cannot accept the family's submission that neglect be recorded as a finding. I must explain... that neglect in coronial law is quite different.

"The definition of neglect in this context means a gross failure to provide adequate nourishment or liquid, or provide or procure basic medical attention or shelter or warmth for someone in a dependent position.

"I cannot find that the failures by the Trust amounted to a gross failure to provide the basics in medical care.

Advert

"The failures of care do have to be gross, and I don't find that the failures here - that mistake of administering the paracetamol - amounts to a gross failure."

Featured Image Credit: Antony Higginson/Getty Images/Tero Vesalainen

Topics: Health, UK News

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 10 hours ago

    Someone who invested $7,793 into Bitcoin 14 years ago and only just accessed it is now worth a staggering amount

    After 14 years of lying dormant, two bitcoin wallets holding 10,000 bitcoin each were activated this week

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Elon Musk reveals 'two-part plan' to take control of US Congress with 'America Party'

    The Tesla boss has a new idea to shake up politics in the US

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Expert issues urgent warning for anyone thinking about travelling whilst on Ozempic or Mounjaro

    Those on Ozempic or Mounjaro may face problems abroad if they don't declare it

    News
  • 12 hours ago

    YouTuber Nikocado Avocado shares shocking results of plastic surgery after 250lb weight loss

    Nikocado explained that following his weight loss, he sought the help of a plastic surgeon

    News
  • Mom given just 12 months to live after worrying symptom was dismissed by doctor as heartburn
  • Tourist who was trapped 1,600ft down active volcano for days tragically dies before rescuers get to her
  • Foreign authorities break silence after body of mom who died while on vacation is returned 'with heart missing'
  • 7-Eleven employee, 24, who was left brain-dead after manager ‘sat on her’ has died