Recent Cases - 2011
Although Medical Negligence cases address very sensitive and complex issues, for most of our clients their objective is to fully investigate the events that occurred, to find answers to the many questions that they have and why the events happened in the first place. We believe that the most important aspect of a Medical Negligence case is to achieve justice for our clients as well as compensation and it is vital that these mishaps and errors are prevented from occurring in the future.
We have set out below some of the types of cases we have recently been involved in which, although very sensitive and upsetting, we have achieved some sort of justice for our clients.
Surgical error leading to possibility of cross infection - £3,500
In December 2011, we secured £3,500 for a client who had been informed of the possibility of cross infection due to an incident that occured during surgery. She endured months of anxiety and worry that she may have contracted an infection. She was left with a phobia of future treatment in hospitals.
Negligently prescribed and administered Amoxicillin - £10,000
In November 2011, we secured £10,000 for a client who acted on behalf of his late mother’s estate for the pain and suffering she endured for 10 days up to her death following the administration of Amoxicillin (despite a clear allergy being noted in her records). As she had suffered previous reactions, the final and fatal reaction was extremely severe and painful.
Negligent medical advice provided prior to Hip surgery - £50,000
In November 2011, we secured £50,000 for a client who sustained injuries when she was negligently advised to cease taking her heart medication 8 days before hip repair surgery resulting in a heart attack the day before the surgery was due. She should only have ceased the medication for a few days.
Negligent Knee Surgery - £400,000
In October 2011 we settled a claim for damages on behalf of a client who had undergone knee surgery, after a rugby injury, which had left him significantly disabled. It was alleged that the operation was carried out negligently with the result that he suffered severe damage to his knee and leg. The claim was settled for damages of £400,000.
Opthamology - Delay in Diagnosis - £80,000
In October 2011, we acted on behalf of a middle aged woman where there was a significant delay in diagnosing and treating acute glaucoma. She now has impaired vision. We settled the case for £80,000.
Fatality - Delay in Diagnosis - £38,500
In October 2011, we acted on behalf of a widow who pursued a case against two hospitals and a GP for delays in diagnosing and treating DVT and a pulmonary embolism from which her husband died. We settled the case for £38,500.
Burns and Scaring to foot - £16,500
In September 2011, we acted for a man who sustained burns and scaring to his foot. He had a hypoglycemic attack whilst in hospital during which insulin was administered through his foot which leaked and caused burns to the skin on the foot . As a result of which he required a skin graft operation. The case was settled for £16,500.
Burns and Scaring to hand - £8,750
In August 2011, we settled a claim for £8,750 after a man sustained burns to his hand during an operation when a bag full of boiling hot saline solution was applied to his hand to find a vein.
Fatality following Incorrect Medication administered - £100,000
In July 2011, we secured £100,000 for the wife and Estate of the Deceased who died after being given medication which should not have been given to a patient with a history of stomach ulcers and he subsequently died.
Substandard Out of Hours care provided by German doctor - £175,000
In June 2011 we settled a claim for damages against a German doctor who had come over to England for the weekend to provide out of hours emergency cover but who had failed to refer our client’s wife to hospital. She had had recent surgery for a hernia and was in very significant pain and discomfort. As a consequence of this failure, she died. The claim was settled for damages of £175,000.
Pressure Sores - £11,000
We settled a case for an individual who suffered a pressure sore on his nose as a result of a nasogastric tube being taped too tightly to it.
Burns and Scarring - £8,000.00
We settled a case for an individual who suffered from chemical burns and scarring on both his legs as a result of using a cream which had been prescribed at the maximum strength possible, and he had not been probably advised on its application. He should have been started on the lowest strength cream which the strength being increased gradually over a period of time.
Refusal to give medication - £3,500.00
This individual attended hospital to undergo a routine operation. She also had diabetes which she had controlled well for many years. Following the operation the nursing staff refused to allow her her insulin for over 10 hours, despite her numerous requests and as a result she suffered a hypoglaecemic attack.
GMC Hearing results in warning for Dr Ogunbiyi, working as a doctor for Primecare Out of Hours Service
On 30th June 2011, we assisted a family in making a complaint to the GMC for the care provided to their late husband and father by an out of hours GP, Dr Ogunbiyi. The GMC concluded that “On 9 December 2006 you were working for an Out of Hours Service. You had three telephone conversations with the wife of a patient who had collapsed at home with dizziness, vomiting and acute headache. You failed to elicit an adequate history; to consider all the symptoms and other information reported to you and you refused to arrange a home visit when the situation clearly warranted one…This performance does not meet with the standards required of a doctor. It risks bringing the profession into disrepute and it must not be repeated…it is necessary in response to issue this formal warning.”
Delayed diagnosis of bowel perforation - £285,000
In May 2011 we secured a £285,000 settlement for a woman who suffered terrible injuries following routine laparoscopic surgery. Her bowel was perforated during the procedure but this was not picked up by the medical team for over a week, by which time necrotising faciitis had destroyed much of her abdomen.
Stillbirth due to midwifery negligence - £56,000.
In May 2011 we secured £56,000 for the parents of stillborn child when there was an unexplained delay in the delivery.
Brain injury sustained at birth due to negligence - £7.3 million
In March 2011 we settled a claim for a bright and intelligent boy trapped in a severely disabled body as a result of his mother’s negligent obstetric care during labour and delivery, obtaining an award of £7.3 million.
Fatality resulting from Negligent Gynaecological Care - £27,500
In January 2011 we settled a further claim for £27,500 in respect of negligent gynaecological care resulting in the acceleration, by several months, of the death of our client’s wife.
For free and confidential legal advice…
Speak to our Medico-Legal advisers today.
Free advice service.
0800 037 8411
Email Medico-Legal advisers
And more:
Meet the Team
See what our clients say
News
Register for mailings