A 73-year-old woman who sustained third degree burns while being treated in a state hospital reached a settlement with the Health Department on the day the matter was set down for trial in the Western Cape High Court, Die Burger reports.
The woman alleged that Dr Leneque Lindeque of the Tygerberg Hospital was in conversation on her cell phone while conducting a gynaecological examination and used the wrong chemical. The department admitted that the doctor used 'trichlor acetic acid' instead of the mild acid routinely used during internal examinations, but denied the doctor was on her cell phone while doing so. The acid caused third-degree burns in the patient's vagina and anus.
The patient claimed R2m damages, saying she was in constant pain. Piet Matthee, for the plaintiff, confirmed that the department settled the claim for R500,000 plus legal costs.
[link url="http://www.netwerk24.com/nuus/2015-03-04-eis-oor-brandwonde-suurslagoffer-skik-met-departement"]Full report in Die Burger[/link]