Widow wins payout after knee surgery kills her husband
A High Court judge has this afternoon awarded an undisclosed sum to the family of a man who died during a knee operation at a Shropshire hospital.
Louis Belcuore died during surgery to remove cartilage from his knee at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry in October 2009.
His widow, Penny Belcuore, speaking after the hearing at the High Court in Birmingham today, said: "I'm relieved today is over and it's finally come to an end."
Mr Belcuore, a 43-year-old businessman, was being operated on for worn cartilage when the operation went drastically wrong, after air got into his blood, causing an embolism which led to a heart attack.
The hospital, which was ordered to pay the undisclosed sum, previously apologised to the family and has admitted liability.
A spokesman for the hospital trust said: "The trust deeply regrets the tragic loss of Mr Belcuore and offers its sincere apologies to Mrs Belcuore and her family."
Mr Belcuore left behind two daughters, five and six, and a son, who is now two.
Victoria Blankstone, of solicitors Irwin Mitchell, said: "Nothing can turn back the clock and Louis' death remains an appalling and needless tragedy."
Mrs Belcuore said she was disappointed the General Medical Council had not yet concluded its hearing into the surgeon who operated on Mr Belcuore, Dr James Richardson.
