Background: A routine injury turns into a life-altering crisis
A wooden toy accident left a minor cut above the eye of Ian Phillips in 2021. What began as a small wound escalated into a life-threatening fight against necrotising fasciitis, a rare skin and soft-tissue infection with a high mortality rate when not treated promptly. The couple now alleges that delays and misjudgments by staff at Barwon Health, which runs University Hospital Geelong, contributed to the severity of Ian’s condition.
The alleged sequence of events
According to Ian and his wife Jade, initial treatment appeared insufficient. The wound was cleaned and closed with glue by a GP, and Ian was sent home with only a sore head as a warning sign. That night, the swelling around his eye rapidly worsened, and the family felt the situation was more serious than the staff acknowledged. Ian says a nurse he spoke with did not recognize an infectious process, while Jade recalls pleading with staff to reassess for an infection.
Despite escalating pain and swelling, Ian received pain relief, including morphine, tramadol, and fentanyl, but antibiotics were not administered until 24 hours after admission. Five hours later, a consultant ophthalmologist raised necrotising fasciitis as a possibility. The plastics team then advised urgent transfer to Melbourne, where Ian underwent emergency surgery to remove dead tissue and stop the infection from spreading. He was placed in an induced coma for two weeks and subsequently lost his left eye.
The medical perspective
Dr Rahul Chakrabarti, an ophthalmologist not directly treating Ian, describes necrotising fasciitis as one of the most aggressive infections, capable of triggering sepsis and, in facial cases, threatening the brain. The risk to eye socket and surrounding tissues makes timely recognition crucial, as delaying treatment can have catastrophic consequences.
The legal claim and current status
Barwon Health has conducted an internal review, identifying three instances where staff could have suspected infection but did not. The review notes the belief that necrotising fasciitis is rare and that the original injury “was not contaminated,” which may have influenced clinical judgment. Ian and Jade, through lawyer Shari Liby of Slater and Gordon, allege that earlier recognition and a modified treatment plan could have prevented the extent of damage to Ian’s face and eye.
Impact on Ian’s life and work
The injury has left Ian with severely reduced peripheral vision and a missing eye, complicating his work as a motorcycle mechanic, particularly tasks requiring precise angles and manual finesse. Jade describes the upheaval and ongoing emotional toll as a constant reminder of the incident and its consequences for their family.
What’s next
The case is now before the courts as the couple seeks damages for the life-changing outcome. Barwon Health has declined to comment on the litigation, stating that the matter is before the courts. This legal action highlights the enduring stakes in healthcare—where rapid recognition and decisive action can be the difference between full recovery and long-term disability.
