Wife who sued Galway GP after husband died from heart attack has case settled at High Court
High Court Reporter
Five actions over the death of a 42-year-old father just six weeks after the birth of his baby son have been settled at the High Court, including a case brought by his wife which was ruled in court for €750,000.
Brian Coyne of Leenane, Co Galway, collapsed at home and died of a heart attack as he looked after his newborn baby in the early hours of March 18th, 2022.
Mr Coyne’s wife Kathryn, the High Court heard. gave her husband CPR but he was later pronounced dead after paramedics arrived on the scene.
The Coyne family counsel Miriam Reilly Sc instructed by Hamilton Sheahan solicitors told the court Mr Coyne who was complaining of chest pain had seen a GP two days before his death.
She said the settlement which was reached after mediation included a discount to reflect the litigation and causation risk. All of the claims were denied in the case.
Four other nervous shock actions brought by the Coyne family were also settled.
Mr Coyne’s wife Kathryn who now lives in Kells, Co Meath, had sued Galway GP Alex Michel who has a practice at Renvyle, Tully, Co Galway.
Mr Coyne, it was claimed, had presented at the GP’s surgery on March 16th, 2022, complaining of chest pain but he was not referred for further assessment or treatment in a hospital setting.
It was further claimed that as a result Mr Coyne’s health was allegedly allowed to deteriorate.
Two days later on March 18th, 2022, Mr Coyne in the early hours volunteered to get up to settle his baby son. While in bed winding the child, it is claimed he fell forward. His wife shouted for help and lifted her husband on the floor where she carried out CPR.
Paramedics arrived and continued to attempt revive Mr Coyne, but he died.
In the proceedings it was claimed at the GP surgery on March 16th, there was an alleged failure to conduct a proper examination of Mr Coyne and an alleged failure to interrogate or adequately interrogate him in respect of his symptoms.
It was further claimed that there was alleged failure to refer him to seek medical attention in a hospital setting regarding his symptoms and that it had been allegedly wrongly concluded that Mr Coyne was not suffering from any serious condition.
There was also, it was contended, an alleged failure to heed the history of Mr Coyne’s condition and the severity of his symptoms
Counsel told the court one expert on their side would say the examination of Mr Coyne at the GP's office was allegedly substandard and he should have been referred to hospital for tests.
Counsel said another expert who examined the heart scar tissue would say the heart event had only begun four hours earlier.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey noted the settlement of the four nervous shock actions. Approving the €750,000 settlement and the division of the statutory mental distress payment of €35,000 Mr Justice Coffey said given the litigation risk, it was fair and reasonable. He also extended his deepest sympathy to Mrs Coyne and the wider family.
