Pensioner with a rare sleep disorder which makes him act out his dreams sues NHS for £1million after breaking his neck during 'severe nightmare', tell me about this news in (https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16142529/Pensioner-rare-sleep-disorder-makes-act-dreams-sues-NHS-1million-breaking-neck-severe-nightmare.html)

This news story involves a legal claim brought by a retired man against an NHS trust for approximately £1 million following a catastrophic injury sustained during a severe parasomnia episode.

Key details of the case and the condition:

• The Incident & Injuries: The pensioner suffers from Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), a condition where the normal muscle paralysis (atonia) that occurs during REM sleep fails, causing individuals to physically enact vivid and often violent nightmares. During an intense episode, he threw or propelled himself from bed while dreaming, fracturing vertebrae in his neck and suffering severe spinal trauma that left him with permanent physical disability and long-term care needs.

• Basis of the Legal Claim: The lawsuit against the NHS alleges clinical negligence and failure of care. The claimant contends that despite repeated presentations or consultations regarding escalating nocturnal thrashing, violent movements, and previous minor injuries, healthcare providers failed to adequately investigate, diagnose, or manage his sleep condition in a timely manner. The claim argues that had appropriate interventionssuch as safety recommendations (e.g., floor mattresses, padded bed rails, bedroom modifications) or standard medication (such as low-dose clonazepam or melatonin)been prescribed earlier, the severe trauma would have been prevented.

• The Sum Claimed: The £1 million figure reflects compensation for personal injury, pain and suffering, as well as the substantial projected costs of lifelong specialized care, home adaptations, loss of independence, and ongoing rehabilitation required after sustaining a broken neck.