Settled Surgical Error Medical Negligence Cases

NEGLIGENT LASER EYE SURGERY

Six figure settlement for negligent ophthalmology treatment leading to permanently reduced vision.

BOWEL PERFORATION CAUSES LIFE-CHANGES INJURIES

We settled a complex claim on behalf of a patient who suffered a bowel perforation following cancer surgery, which caused a gradual build-up of bowel contents in her abdominal cavity. After a few days the fluid began leaking through her surgical wound, but the surgical team failed to conduct a CT scan to identify the type of injury she had suffered. Independent expert evidence established that the team should simply have inserted a drain instead of rushing her to surgery. This decision caused permanent abdominal fistulas to develop and the patient now requires stoma bags and extensive daily nursing care for life. Liability was denied throughout the case but we eventually settled the case shortly before trial, and the financial compensation will allow her to stay at home with nursing care rather than having to move to a nursing home.

CLAIM SETTLED FOR CLIENT WHO UNDERWENT NEGLIGENT SPINE OPERATION

Successfully settled a case for a five figure sum for back pain caused by a negligently performed spinal decompression operation.

NEGLIGENT HIP SURGERY PERFORMED AT PRIVATE HOSPITAL

We settled a case involving a total hip replacement operation performed at a private hospital under the NHS “Choose & Book” system. Our client experienced significant problems following the surgery, including pain on sitting and difficulty walking but was consistently reassured by the operating surgeon this was simply post-operative pain. Eventually, after 17 months she was told nothing further could be done for her so she sought a second opinion at another hospital, where a scan showed that the “cup” of the hip prosthesis had been inserted incorrectly and was rotated by approximately 30 degrees. In addition, it was too large so it was removed and an appropriately-sized replacement was inserted in the correct alignment. We secured a five-figure settlement for her pain & suffering and loss of earnings.

DAMAGES SECURED

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical negligence team secured damages for a lady who suffered a significant wound and scarring due to an incorrectly applied tourniquet used during a knee replacement operation.

DAMAGES – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team settled a case for a client for a five figure damages reward. He suffered a bowel perforation necessitating a longer stay in hospital after necessary bowel surgery and as a consequence of the perforation he had a colostomy for approximately 3 years which, fortunately, was successfully reversed. He has made a very good recovery and liability for these complications was denied by the NHS Trust concerned. Despite this we were able to negotiate a settlement without having to commence Court Proceedings.

NEGLIGENTLY PERFORMED SURGERY CAUSING DEATH

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team settled a claim relating to a negligently performed staging laparoscopy for a patient with oesophageal cancer, which caused the client to suffer a massive bleed, from which he never recovered. On a balance of probabilities, but for the negligence he would have survived the surgery and survived the cancer. Damages were obtained by the deceased’s Estate for his pain and suffering, funeral expenses and also on behalf of his dependants.

DIATHERMY BURN – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team secured a five figure settlement in compensation for a child who suffered a diathermy burn to the angle of her mouth during a tonsillectomy procedure.

DIATHERMY BURN – FOUR FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team secured a four figure settlement in compensation for a client who suffered a diathermy burn to her stomach during a hysterectomy procedure.

FAILURE TO REMOVE SWABS FOLLOWING SURGERY

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team secured damages and an admission of liability for a claimant who suffered trauma and pain as a result of a pack of swabs left inside her body during routine surgery. This was not discovered until days after the operation.

NEGLIGENT SHOULDER REPLACEMENT SURGERY – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team settled a case for a five figure reward for a client who underwent a total shoulder replacement operation which was negligently performed and an oversized prosthesis used.

NEGLIGENT INTENSIVE PULSED LIGHT LASER TREATMENT – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

We settled a claim for five figure damages for a client who underwent negligent Intensive Pulsed Light Laser Treatment for facial rosacea (chronic, inflammatory skin condition) and suffered extensive blistering and permanent scarring.

SURGICAL ERROR – NEGLIGENT REMOVAL OF FALLOPIAN TUBE – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team secured a five figure reward in damages after her fallopian tube was negligently removed during an emergency appendectomy, after it was mistaken for her appendix.

SURGICAL DRAIN LEFT IN SITU FOLLOWING SURGERY – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team secured five figures in damages as a result of a surgical drain being left in situ following a thyroidectomy operation at Whipps Cross Hospital. It was not discovered until 8 months later and then subsequently removed.

SURGICAL ERROR DURING FERTILITY SURGERY – £120,000

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team settled a case for £120,000 damages relating to the damage of a client’s bowel sustained during gynaecological surgery. This damage resulted in very severe scarring and had a detrimental effect on her fertility.

NEGLIGENTLY PERFORMED BLADDER SURGERY – £200,000

A client of Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team received £200,000 in damages for a botched operation on her bladder. Despite being carried out by a specialist surgeon, the surgery was a complete failure and had to be done again. After the second operation our client suffered a series of complications which have left her with no natural bladder function and frequent abdominal pain.
We argued that none of the complications would have developed if the original operation had been carried out correctly. The financial claim included the cost of help in the home, prescriptions for painkillers and the family’s expenses for visiting her while she was in hospital for many months, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

NEGLIGENCE SURGERY – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team settled a case for five figures involving a woman who was in intensive care for three weeks after suffering a bile duct leak and ARDS as a result of negligently conducted surgery.

HEART ATTACK FOLLOWING NEGLIGENTLY CONDUCTED LIVER BIOPSY PROCEDURE – FIVE FIGURE SETTLEMENT

Attwaters Jameson Hill’s Medical Negligence team settled a case for five figures for an individual who suffered a myocardial infarction following a liver biopsy and damage to his gall bladder.

FIVE FIGURE DAMAGES FOR TENDON LACERATION LEADING TO A DROPPED FINGER

We recently secured £25,000 for a client whose tendon was lacerated during routine wrist surgery on his dominant hand.  The damaged tendon was repaired during the original surgery but the client was left with a dropped finger that significantly impacted on his grip and caused increased pain and discomfort.  Further repair surgery in the future will need to be undertaken to improve the client’s condition.