Jess Horvath, who sued Barwon Health, remembered

Geelong woman Jess Horvath, whose life was cut short by chronic health problems, was paid $1.5m by Barwon Health after she allegedly fell victim to bungled care.

Jess Horvath as a youngster. Picture: Supplied

A Geelong woman who sued Barwon Health and was paid $1.5m after she allegedly fell victim to bungled care has been remembered as a resilient person with a big heart.

Jessica Horvath died on January 26 at the age of 37, following a long battle with chronic health issues.

Mum Jenny said Jess, who had been healthy and active, developed type 1 diabetes when she was five, which became “unstable” when Jess was eight.

“She was just one of those people diabetes didn’t agree with,” Mrs Horvath said.

“(It) was hard for her growing up as a teenager because she was in and out of school all the time because she had a lot of admissions to hospital for complications for diabetes.”

After high school, Mrs Horvath said her daughter’s mental health declined.

Jenny Horvath with photo of her daughter Jess who passed away in January.

Around 2008, when she was about 23, Jess was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes, which meant she experienced pain in her legs and feet.

She suffered recurrent leg ulcers and infections and required a wheelchair due to her health problems.

She had below-knee amputations in 2013.

The following year, aged 28, Jess underwent bilateral through-knee amputations, so she could be fitted with prostheses, at Geelong hospital.

A list of “special damages” was filed with the Supreme Court in 2019 and Jess sought more than $5.9m from Barwon Health, including for past and future medical costs.

A statement of claim alleged there were failures in care, including failing to treat hypotension, and court documents claimed Jess lost about at least two units of blood during the procedure.

Jess was left with paralysis affecting the hips and “lower trunk muscles”, documents alleged, which meant she was unable to walk and suffered from difficulty sitting and falls from her wheelchair.

Jess suffered “injury, loss and damage” due to Barwon Health, the claim alleged.

Court documents obtained by the Geelong Advertiser following Jess’ death showed the health service settled with Jess in 2021.

The court ordered the sum — $1.5m minus any repayments to Medicare and the National Disability Insurance Agency — be paid to a court-administered fund for the benefit of Jess.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said: “This matter was litigated however details of the settlement are confidential and Barwon Health is unable to further comment.”

Mrs Horvath, who was Jess’ litigation guardian in the proceedings, said she could not comment on the settlement.

Mrs Horvath said Jess had a big heart and enjoyed being part of a team environment.

“She liked to challenge herself … she was funny,” she said.

“We’ve all got really great memories of Jess … she was very cheeky.”

Jenny Horvath, Jess Horvath and her beloved dog Coco. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Horvath, of Belmont, said despite being an amputee, Jess maintained her love of sport and a gym regimen.

She had competed in wheelchair tennis and basketball.

For about the last five years of her life Jess lived in Grovedale, supported by a disability services provider that facilitated group outings.

“Some diabetics unfortunately end up with lots of complications … unfortunately Jess, as time went on, was one of those, whereas the majority live really good lives,” Mrs Horvath said.

Mrs Horvath said Jess was “really afraid” of dying.

“She wanted to live for a longer period of time,” Mrs Horvath said.

“We miss her dreadfully … but she’s in a much better place.

“Jess always gave it 150 per cent … she never gave up trying.”

Originally published as Jess Horvath, who sued Barwon Health, remembered