Here at Pryers solicitors in York we have completed a medical negligence claim on behalf of a client and won her £2,000. The case involved a client who, in the course of the birth of her first child, had an epidural (for pain relief) that pierced the dura in the spine and led to leakage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). This was a recognised complication of the epidural but the mistake was made by the hospital staff failing to recognise that the client’s ongoing headaches were as a result of the leakage and to carry out blood patching. The mistake was compounded by the community midwives failing to refer her back to the Hospital to get it sorted out. It was only about a month later that the client was referred back to the hospital and the patching carried out to relieve the headaches. This allowed the client to start to enjoy tending to her new-arrival.
Nurse sues own hospital after alleged blunders
May 7th, 2009
A nurse is taking legal action against the hospital where she works, claiming that she almost died after having treatment there.
Susan Melo, 47, has worked at Whittington Hospital in Highgate for three years and was admitted as a patient for a hysterectomy earlier this month.
However, she alleges that staff ignored a family history of thrombosis and gave her an epidural which meant that she could not move her legs for three days.
Ms Melo went on to develop blood clots in both lungs and claims that if she had not had prior medical knowledge, she would not be alive today.
"If I hadn’t been a nurse I would have died. I wouldn’t have been able to challenge them," she remarked.
Ms Melo is now taking legal action against the hospital. A spokesperson said an investigation is being conducted but did not comment further.
Clinical negligence injuries can occur a result of improper medical treatment, mistakes made during surgery, a delayed medical condition diagnosis, bad medical advice, poor dental care and various other problems. Anyone affected should seek legal advice.
