Mrs Patricia Roriston, from Wokingham, was awarded £200,000 when the case went for trial at the High Court in London last month.

Her partner, Terence ‘Terry’ Emmett, died in hospital of a pulmonary embolism only three days after telling his family doctor he had breathing problems.

He was 68 years old and described as a ‘passionate and determined’ man with a loving and caring nature who always put his family first.

At fault was the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading.

The court heard evidence that he would have survived if he had been given the correct diagnosis and treatment on November 18, 2009, the day after he saw his GP.

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust chiefs fought the case on the grounds that Mr Emmett would not have returned to work after his illness, but judge Sir Robert Frances QC held that Mr Emmett would have continued working for the rest of his life.

Mr Emmett was prescribed diuretics by his doctor, but when his condition deteriorated he attended the accident and emergency department at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading.

After being admitted, he was wrongly diagnosed with congestive heart failure. In spite of blood tests showing his condition was very abnormal, no action was taken.

On November 20, 2009, his condition deteriorated further and a pulmonary embolism was suspected.

Thrombolytic treatment was given but he had a cardiac arrest and died.

Trust chiefs admitted that diagnosis of pulmonary embolism should have been made and admitted that, if the correct treatment had started on November 18, he would have survived without complications.

The case was taken on the family’s behalf by clinical negligence specialist law firm Penningtons Manches.

Lawyer Emily Palmer said: “This is an incredibly sad case. It has been difficult for Patricia and her family to come to terms with the fact that a correct diagnosis would have saved his life.

“The circumstances in which Terry died could have been entirely avoided.” Mrs Roriston said: “We do not see this award as a victory, as nothing can bring Terry back, but we are pleased that Sir Robert’s decision has finally brought justice.”