A woman has been awarded £700,000 compensation after an operation to remove a varicose vein went wrong.

During the operation, the surgeon hooked out the common peroneal nerve rather than a varicose vein when operating on her left knee.

The nerve was torn away. A plastic surgeon tried to repair the damage but was unsuccessful.

The woman had no power in parts of her leg and was diagnosed as suffering from compete nerve palsy.

She underwent further operations and had physiotherapy in an attempt to improve her condition. However, the injury was permanent. She had impaired mobility and needed orthotic support for her foot.

She had difficulty balancing and could only walk for about 100-200 metres at a time. She required assistance with several day-to-day tasks.

Previously, the woman had managed a flower shop but found it extremely difficult to continue following the botched operation. Her chances of finding a new job were also greatly reduced.

She brought an action against the surgeon saying he was negligent in failing to take an appropriate level of care.

The surgeon admitted liability and agreed to an out-of-court settlement of £700,000. The figure covered the woman’s pain, suffering and loss of amenity as well as the various costs she had incurred as a result of the injury.

Madeline Seibert said: “The removal of varicose veins has come to be seen as routine but things can still go badly wrong, as this case shows. Unfortunately, this woman will be affected for the rest of her life so it is important that she should be properly compensated.”

Please contact Madeline Seibert if you would like advice about making a clinical negligence claim.