October 12th, 2009
A woman whose leg was unnecessarily amputated after doctors misdiagnosed her with cancer has been awarded a six-figure compensation payout.
Doreen Nicholls, 72, found a lump in her foot and was referred to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham in August 2007.
A team of orthopaedic, radiology and histology medics advised an amputation of her leg below the knee after finding symptoms of a particularly aggressive soft tissue cancer.
However, after the grandmother underwent surgery in October 2007, it was discovered that the swelling had not been cancerous after all.
Ms Nicholls sought legal advice and pursued a compensation claim against the hospital. Although it has not admitted liability, it has agreed to a six-figure payout as part of an out-of-court settlement.
"I shall never forgive the hospital for what they’ve done to me. I just want my leg back, money doesn’t mean a thing," the victim remarked.
According to recent research from Imperial College London, as many as one in six NHS patients is currently being misdiagnosed.
Tags: Amputation, Compensation Claim, Court Settlement, Doctors, Grandmother, Histology, Imperial College London, Legal Advice, Medics, Money, Nhs Patients, Nicholls, Radiology, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Soft Tissue Cancer, Woman
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
August 6th, 2009
A woman who was left in pain and in need of further surgery after having a breast reconstruction has been awarded compensation by a hospital.
Diane Greenman, 53, was diagnosed with cancer and opted to have a mastectomy a month later to stop the disease spreading, the Sheffield Star reports.
Soon afterwards, she had a breast reconstruction, which was carried out by Dr Puvaneswary Markandoo at Barnsley Hospital.
However, she claims that he did not perform the procedure properly, inserting the implant under her skin instead of her muscle. This caused an infection and Ms Greenman needed further surgery to correct it.
She took legal action against the surgeon and the hospital in a bid to claim compensation.
In a new development, the hospital admitted liability and agreed to pay compensation, although the exact amount is not known.
"I have felt my life was put on hold to accommodate the failings of a surgeon I put my trust in. I am looking forward to moving on with my life and finally putting this ordeal behind me," she commented.
Plastic surgeons have the same duty of care as any other medical professionals and patients may be able to claim compensation if they can prove their surgeon did not adhere to it.
Tags: Bid, Botched Breast, Breast Reconstruction, Cancer, Duty Of Care, Grandmother, Greenman, Mastectomy, Medical Professionals, Ordeal, Sheffield Star, Woman
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
July 14th, 2009
A woman whose bowel was accidentally stitched up when she went into hospital to have a routine hysterectomy is seeking compensation from the hospital she holds responsible.
Lynn Main, 55, was admitted to Horton General Hospital in Oxfordshire on May 7th for a three-day stay.
However, during surgery, a doctor mistakenly stitched up her bowel.
Ms Main was left in agony, but was told by hospital staff that she was simply constipated and should eat more.
On May 22nd, her bowel burst and she developed peritonitis. Doctors had to repair the internal injuries with staples in an emergency operation and drained the contents of her bowel manually.
Ms Main and her partner Alan Scott are now suing those responsible for Horton General Hospital for clinical negligence.
"Alan and me both knew that something was seriously wrong but none of the doctors or nurses would listen," she pointed out.
A spokesperson for the hospital said the case is under investigation.
Clinical negligence occurs when a professional in the health service provides care that is deemed to be below standard and this causes physical injury, death or distress.
Anyone who has suffered as a result of this should seek a solicitor specialising in clinical negligence claims in order to increase their likelihood of receiving a payout.
Tags: Agony, Burst, Clinical Negligence Claims, Doctors, Emergency Operation, General Hospital, Grandmother, Health Service, Hospital Staff, Hysterectomy, Injury Death, Internal Injuries, Likelihood, Nurses, Oxfordshire, Solicitor Specialising, Spokesperson, Staples, Woman
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
September 30th, 2008
A compensation claim is to be launched against a shop in Bristol after a baby was injured by a glass door.
The baby, named only as Daniel, was in his pushchair when a glass door shattered, showering him with glass, the BBC reports.
Although he only suffered a cut to his right eyelid, his grandmother said he could have been badly hurt.
"If his eye had been opened, I really believe Daniel may have lost his eye. At the time, it was very, very scary. He was covered in blood," she remarked.
A spokesperson from the store, Harvey Nichols in Bristol Cabot Circus, said CCTV footage of the incident is being examined and the Health and Safety Executive said it was looking into the case.
Shops and supermarkets have a duty of care for their customers and a compensation claim may be launched if an injury occurs because of negligence.
Tags: Bbc, Bbc Reports, Bristol, Cabot, Circus, Compensation Claim, Duty Of Care, Glass Door, Grandmother, Harvey Nichols, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Negligence, Pushchair, Quot, Spokesperson, Supermarkets
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
