The Court of Appeal has increased the general damages awarded to a woman who received incompatible blood at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), raising her compensation from J$4 million to J$7.6 million.
The woman successfully challenged the amount awarded by the Supreme Court in December 2016 for injuries arising from the hospital’s admitted negligence. The appeal judgment was delivered on October 16, 2026.
She was admitted to UHWI on March 4, 2006, with a severe platelet disorder. During a transfusion the following day, nursing staff gave her blood intended for another patient with identical first and last names.
According to the court record, she subsequently experienced severe body pain, high temperature, sleeplessness and depersonalisation. The error was discovered two days after the transfusion, and she was informed during a meeting with her medical team on March 8.
The original J$4 million award comprised J$3.5 million for psychological injury and J$500,000 for additional pain and suffering. Her attorney, Denise Senior-Smith, argued that the compensation was inadequate.
The Appeal Court agreed that the original assessment was too low. It increased the psychological injury component to J$7.1 million, bringing general damages to J$7.6 million.
The court also ordered interest at three per cent from August 31, 2011, to December 7, 2016. Earlier awards for special damages and future medical expenses were upheld.
The judges apologised for the delay in delivering their decision.
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