A family is seeking €1.4 million in compensation after a 48-year-old man was left tetraplegic following what they claim was a preventable medical error in a public hospital in Spain.
Agapito was admitted to a hospital in Galicia with pancreatitis when, during his stay, he was allegedly given a drug he was known to be allergic to – believed to be metamizol (Nolotil).
The reaction triggered a severe anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest, leaving him with catastrophic brain damage and 100% disability.
The medication, which is banned in 40 countries worldwide, can, in some cases, lead to sepsis and organ failure, by depleting a patient’s white blood cells.
For a yet unknown genetic reason, people from northern Europe, such as the UK and Ireland, are more at risk from the drug.
Any British person receiving treatment in Spain is advised to make sure they are not being administered Nolotil.
Agapito’s son, Francisco Daniel, claims the incident amounts to medical negligence, arguing that his father’s allergy was clearly documented in his medical history.
The case centres on treatment at the Montecelo Hospital in Pontevedra, part of the Servicio Gallego de Salud (Sergas).
Legal action has now been filed against its insurer, Relyens, in a civil claim aimed at covering lifelong care and treatment costs.
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred on July 15, 2024, when a nurse administered a painkiller that allegedly triggered the reaction.
Agapito now lives with profound disabilities. He is unable to move his body, speak or communicate discomfort, and is fed via a gastric tube. His only movement is limited to his eyes and mouth.
Medical reports gathered by his family show a previous allergic reaction to metamizol and documentation where the drug appears and is later crossed out.
THey also claim to have ICU reports referencing a possible accidental administration.
An expert report included in the claim concludes there is a direct link between the medication and the reaction.
While the insurer does not reportedly contest that an error occurred, it is challenging the scale of the compensation.
It has put forward reducing the payout to around €206,000, far below the €1.4 million being sought.
Francisco Daniel says his priority is ensuring his father receives proper care and rehabilitation.
He is currently covering the cost of therapies himself, while his father remains in a facility he says is not adapted to his needs after losing access to a specialised unit.
To help fund treatment, he has launched a crowdfunding campaign and is sharing updates on social media.
He insists the case is not about blame, but about securing support and raising awareness.
The family is also calling for greater safeguards in hospitals, particularly around checking patient allergies and improving protocols for those with severe brain injuries.
Before the incident, Agapito led an active life, regularly walking and playing football with his son.
Now, while he is believed to understand what is happening around him, he cannot communicate or move, in a reality his family says could have been avoided.
