Nicola Bayless has been fighting against the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for the death of her husband Stephen, who died of an acute aortic dissection in April 2016. The signs of his condition were missed six days earlier when he was treated for severe chest pains at the hospital. Mrs. Bayless launched a clinical negligence claim against the hospital, and after three years of legal wrangling, she received a settlement of £340,000 in 2019. However, she is continuing to fight the hospital trust due to the lasting impact her husband’s death has had on their two children, who now suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The hospital trust argued that the 2019 settlement resolved the case, but Mrs. Bayless insisted that it did not account for the impact on her children. As a result, in December 2020, Mrs. Bayless and her children launched a new damages claim against the hospital, which the trust attempted to block. However, a High Court judge recently ruled in Mrs. Bayless’ favor, allowing a new claim to be made. Mrs. Bayless expressed her frustration, stating that it has been a horrible experience fighting the hospital, and she is focused on resolving the situation for the sake of her children, who will always need help and support.
At the time of the settlement in 2019, Mrs. Bayless’s solicitors explained that the claims for the children’s injury were not ready, which is why they were not included in the settlement. Mrs. Bayless, a registered nurse of more than 20 years, has lost faith in the NHS as a result of this ordeal. The hospital expressed its condolences and apologized for the missed opportunity to diagnose the seriousness of Stephen Bayless’s condition. The hospital is committed to investigating all patient safety incidents to improve the quality of care for patients and their families.
Mrs. Bayless described her late husband as a lovely guy, a skateboarder, a welder, and a great dad. However, his death came out of the blue, and the impact on their children has been devastating. Mrs. Bayless is determined to fight for her children and ensure that they receive the help and support they need. While the legal battle continues, Mrs. Bayless remains focused on getting the situation resolved and honoring her husband’s memory.
