Edita Siroky wins $2.4m payout after Flinders Medical Centre acknowledges negligence

A granny went to an Adelaide hospital seeking treatment but left a quadriplegic after doctors failed to properly diagnose her. A court has awarded her a $2.4m payout.

A grandmother rendered a quadriplegic after a hospital failed to diagnose a bacterial spinal infection has won a $2.4m payout.

Edita Siroky lodged a medical negligence claim with the Supreme Court suing Flinders Medical Centre after her February 2018 misdiagnosis.

The hospital admitted liability and negligence and the $2.4m settlement for damages was reached with the State Government, on behalf of the hospital.

In her statement of claim filed with the court, Ms Siroky, said she attended the hospital multiple times, beginning on February 14, 2018, when she arrived via ambulance from Noarlunga Hospital.

The Czech-born grandmother presented with a sore throat, difficulty and pain swallowing, sore neck, dry cough, fever and vomiting.

After several tests which indicated Mrs Siroky “likely had a bacterial infection” she was diagnosed with tonsillitis and discharged with prescription for antibiotics and a recommendation she follow-up with her GP.

Flinders Medical Centre. Picture: File

Mrs Siroky returned to the hospital’s emergency department two days later suffering from worsening shoulder and chest pain she reported was “too bad and making her cry”.

Her blood tests again indicated she had a bacterial infection which was worsening.

After several days and tests she was prescribed prednisolone – a type of steroid – and again discharged.

“The administration of the steroid prednisolone caused the rapid progression of Mrs Siroky’s discitus and development of a spinal epidural abscess,” her statement of claim says.

On February 27, Mrs Siroky collapsed in the carpark of her chiropractor and was rushed to FMC, where she was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Tests again confirmed she had an infection, as well as damage to her spine.

In the claim, Mrs Siroky said the hospital was negligent and failed in a number of areas, including not using a translator nor an adequate health history and failing to administer antibiotics.

“As a result of the negligence of the hospital in failing to diagnose and treat Mrs Siroky’s infective process, she suffered discitus of the cervical spine and the infection spread with formation of an abscess … which left untreated grew, causing cord compression and subtotal quadriplegia,” the claim says.

Mrs Siroky claimed damages for her injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, psychiatric injury and ongoing treatment.

In its updated statement of defence, the hospital said it “admits that as a result of its negligence the plaintiff was rendered a subtotal quadriplegic” which had and would require medical treatment.

“The respondent admits that the applicant’s capacity to function physically and enjoyment of life has been impaired by the physical injuries but denies that the applicant suffered psychological injuries.”