A retired dentist and property developer has sued two doctors and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, for alleged negligence resulting in severe back pain, no sensation in his feet and lower back area and no control over his bladder, bowel and sexual functions.
Mr Ronnie Robbins SC, for Mr Thomas King (64), known as Mr Joe King, Greenfield Manor, Donnybrook, Dublin, said his client had a 25-year history of back pain but this had exacerbated severely in February 1995 while playing golf. Prior to this, Mr King was able to deal with the pain but then became aware that pain in his left leg had moved to his right leg.
Mr King, a former captain of Portmarnock Golf Club, was alleging negligence in his treatment in April 1995 by Mr John Byrne, an orthopaedic surgeon, to whom he was referred by his GP.
He claimed Mr Byrne had inadequately examined him, taken an inadequate history and wrongly advised him on April 5th, 1995, that he could lead a normal life and travel to Connemara on April 12th to his holiday home. On April 15th, Mr King claims, such was his pain that he had to be taken to Beaumont Hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment.
Mr King is also alleging negligence against Mr Christopher Pidgeon, a consultant neurosurgeon, who performed surgery on him at Beaumont. It is claimed Mr Pidgeon performed the wrong operation and should have carried out a second operation on Mr King very soon after the first.
It is alleged Beaumont Hospital was negligent in allegedly failing to convey to Mr Pidgeon the seriousness of Mr King's post-operative condition and symptoms.
The claims are denied by Mr Byrne, with a practice at Bon Secours Hospital, Glasnevin, Dublin; Mr Pidgeon, with a practice at Beaumont Hospital; and by Beaumont Hospital.
Mr King claims he attended Mr Byrne at the Bon Secours Hospital on April 5th, 1995, complaining of pain in his back and both lower limbs. An MRI scan was to be carried out. On April 6th, he was in acute pain while swimming. He organised an MRI scan on April 10th and conveyed the scan to Mr Byrne's secretary. The scan showed narrowing of the spine on two levels and an extruded disc.
He claims Mr Byrne advised him about April 12th, 1995, that it would be in order for him to travel on holidays to Connemara when, Mr King claims, Mr Byrne should have known he required immediate surgery.
On April 15th, 1995, Mr King claims he was admitted to Beaumont where he underwent surgery carried out by Mr Pidgeon.
As a result of the treatment he received from Mr Byrne and Mr Pidgeon, he claims he sustained serious personal injuries. He claims he has to use a cane, has bilateral leg splits, and must undergo daily manual bowel evacuation and intermittent urinary self-catheterisation.
In his defence, Mr Byrne has denied negligence. He denies he advised Mr King to travel to Connemara. He pleads that, while en route to Connemara on April 12th, Mr King had phoned Mr Byrne in the middle of the latter's clinic. He pleads that if he told Mr King the latter could lead a normal life, that was said on April 5th. On April 11th, he had told Mr King an operation was envisaged and not to do anything to hurt his back.
In his defence, Mr Pidgeon also denies negligence or that he carried out the wrong operation.
The action is expected to last several weeks.