Here in York at Pryers solicitors a settlement was agreed in the case of a woman who had a knee replacement operation. After the operation had been carried out she complained that she was suffering from a foot drop. Her complaints were not heeded by the hospital staff and the opportunity to operate again to repair the nerve damage was lost. The Defendant hospital, through the NHS Litigation Authority, denied liability for a long time. Eventually liability was conceded not on the basis that the operation had been carried out negligently but that they should have re-operated and this could have potentially repaired the nerve damage. After negotiations a settlement was agreed in the case in the sum of £18,000 reflecting mainly General Damages for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity. There were no loss of earnings because the woman was already retired from work.
Successful claim after cerebral spinal fluid leakage
April 13th, 2010
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.
Successful clinical negligence claim after failing to diagnose DVT
March 19th, 2010
Recently at Pryers we recovered substantial damages for the family of a patient who died after hospital staff failed to diagnose deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Sadly, some of the family witnessed the immediate aftermath of the death and were awarded damages for the psychiatric reaction to these events.
Sadly this clinical negligence case highlights the fact that it’s estimated there could be between 1000 and 2000 deaths in the UK each year, so correct diagnosis is essential.
Girl who went blind receives £1.5m payout
October 29th, 2009
A girl who went blind after doctors failed to spot a brain tumour has been awarded £1.5 million in compensation.
Tatum Rock, now 16, went into King George Hospital in Essex after banging her head in a fall in 1999.
She had X-rays, but was sent home when the radiologist missed a large brain tumour. Although the condition came to light four months later and she had corrective surgery, it was too late to save her sight.
An investigation revealed that had the X-ray been read properly, the victim would have had surgery immediately and her sight would most likely have been saved.
Tatum took legal action against Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which has now admitted liability for the misdiagnosis and agreed to the payout.
Hospital bosses apologised for the failings and wished Tatum well for her future at university.
Research from Imperial College London recently revealed that as many as one in six NHS patients are being misdiagnosed by either GPs or hospital staff.
Family sues after child is born with disabilities
July 21st, 2009
A family is suing an NHS trust after their child was born with serious disabilities which were not picked up on in time for an abortion to be carried out.
Franchesca Parsons claims that Musgrove Park Hospital staff should have noticed little Rupert’s disabilities at the 20 week scan and that consequently, his was a wrongful birth because she would not have had him if she had known the extent of his problems.
She is claiming £1.5 million in interim compensation from Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust so that she can move Rupert, now five, into a specially adapted house.
Although the trust admits liability, it is disputing the amount of compensation, so a hearing is to go ahead at a later date.
According to BabyCentre.co.uk, pregnant women will be offered a detailed scan at between 18 and 22 weeks. This will check that the baby is developing normally.
Where problems are evident, an appointment for a scan with a foetal medicine specialist will usually be made within 72 hours and the options for the pregnancy can be discussed.
