A neurosurgeon who 'thought he was going to die' when a hospital lift plunged four floors is suing the NHS for £200,000. Dr Steven Tominey, a neurosurgery specialist at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, suffered severe leg injuries in the incident on March 15, 2024.
The accident occurred while Dr Tominey was working a night shift. He entered the lift between 7am and 7.30am, and the lift dropped four floors before the brakes activated. The impact transferred his weight through his left leg, causing fractures in two places. He crawled to the emergency buzzer and was rescued after five to ten minutes.
Despite immediate surgery, his knee did not set correctly, requiring a second operation to shorten one leg. He now walks with a limp and suffers ongoing pain, making it difficult to stand for long periods at work. The trauma also led to depression and PTSD, for which he underwent eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy.
Dr Tominey is suing his former employer, Barts Health NHS Trust, for over £200,000 in compensation. The trust has admitted breach of duty but disputes causation and the amount of damages. It also seeks a delay to assess his long-term recovery.
At London's High Court, Dr Tominey's lawyers argued that the trust owed a duty to provide a safe workplace and that the accident is 'highly likely' to hinder his career. The case continues.
