A resident of Lanzarote is to be compensated €65,000 by the Canarian Health Service (SCS) and an insurance company following a workplace accident in June 2018, which resulted in a fracture of his left hip that went undetected for 14 days. This brings the total amount of compensation for nine cases of medical negligence in the Canary Islands so far in 2025 to nearly €1.3 million, as confirmed by the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands.
In the case involving the Lanzarote resident, according to the ruling from the TSJC last January, when the incident occurred, “it was not deemed necessary to carry out any surgical intervention, and when they were compelled to do so, there were no available slots on the island.” Attempts were made to schedule his operation in Gran Canaria, but for unexplained reasons, this did not take place.
Following a dispute between the insurer and the Canarian Health Service, an initial ruling and subsequently the TSJC determined that both parties should bear the healthcare costs and the compensation together.
– Death of twins due to malpractice during pregnancy
At that time, the Canarian Health Service was also ordered to pay €352,479 to a woman for the death of her twins due to malpractice during her high-risk pregnancy, as necessary safety measures were not ensured, resulting in an infection and the tragic outcome.
The TSJC also recognised in January the right of a man to receive compensation, which has yet to be finalised, due to delays in providing an appropriate diagnosis that led to the loss of his right testicle.
Later, the courts upheld a ruling in favour of a resident of Fuerteventura, granting her €200,000 after she visited a health centre on the island on 24 March 2020, feeling weakness on the left side of her body, particularly in her limbs.
She was referred to the Insular Hospital, where the orthopaedic surgeon diagnosed her with peripheral nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord, following which she was discharged.
The next day, her weakness became complete. She was treated again at the Insular Hospital, where tests revealed a brain lesion with bleeding, prompting an urgent transfer to Gran Canaria Hospital.
The negligence was attributed to her initial treatment at the hospital, where an appropriate diagnosis was not conducted.
The TSJC also upheld another ruling, ordering a payment of €6,000 to a patient for malpractice due to being inadequately informed about the urological procedure he was to undergo, without necessary tests or signing consent.
The Consultative Council had estimated the compensation at €12,000, which the lower court and the TSJC halved.
– €60,000 for the “disappearance” of a patient
Additionally, a resident from southern Gran Canaria with a terminal illness, classified as A.A., indicating that he should be accompanied at all times, was discharged from the Insular Hospital of Gran Canaria but left alone. Two and a half years later, he remains missing.
The courts recognised the right of his family to receive compensation of €60,000.
A woman from Gran Canaria will receive €130,000 for “deficient medical care,” of which the Canarian Health Service agreed to pay €122,000. In this instance, the TSJC did not accept the appeal lodged by the Canary Government due to the minimal difference between the amounts. Consequently, no further details about the case were provided.
Moreover, the two children of an 86-year-old woman from Gran Canaria will also receive €60,000 for the inadequate care of their mother, diagnosed as being at high risk of falls. Despite this, no appropriate safety measures were implemented when she was admitted to Negrín Hospital in August 2017.
As a result, the patient, who also had issues with disorientation and agitation, fell from her bed in October and died two days later. Similar incidents had occurred previously for the same reason during her hospital stay.
– Feet amputated due to failure to prescribe antibiotics
Another case involves a girl from Tenerife who had both legs amputated at the ankles because, when treated for high fever at a health centre, no antibiotics were prescribed.
In total, the Canarian Health Service was ordered to pay €273,000, along with the obligation to cover all future surgeries necessary to adapt her prosthetics to her physical development.
Additionally, the husband of a woman who suffered a fall in the shower in March 2021, resulting in loss of consciousness and neck pain, will receive €145,200. This was because, despite being treated two consecutive days at the Ingenio Health Centre, she was diagnosed with cervicalgia.
On both occasions, she was discharged without any tests being performed, leading to her death 24 hours later. The claimant argued that the fall protocols were not followed, and there was no suspicion of potential cranioencephalic trauma.
