Family of asthma victim secures compensation from ambulance service

The family of a woman who died as a result of asthma have won out-of-court settlement said to be worth six-figures.

According to Roger Bereza, delays by paramedics contributed to the death of his wife Tracey.

She had an acute attack at her home in April 2004 and Mr Bereza called for an ambulance.

According to the 47-year-old, the paramedic crew took 40 minutes to get his spouse into an ambulance and a further 35 minutes to transport her to hospital.

He said: "Even though we live just ten minutes from the nearest [accident and emergency department], I had always been told to call an ambulance and not to attempt to drive there myself in case we got stuck in traffic or Tracey required emergency oxygen for her nebuliser."

While in the ambulance, Ms Bereza suffered a respiratory arrest and she died four days later.

Mr Bereza has now settled with the West Midlands Ambulance Service, which serves an area of around 5,000 miles, although the service has not admitted liability.

22/08/2008 15:04