Hospital Complaints

Successful Hospital Complaint Cases We Have Dealt With

Client Required Repeated Surgery Due To Negligence By Hospital Nurses
Our client’s pre medical history is that she had been left with reduced mobility because of a problem with one of her legs. Ultimately a problem with her other leg developed due to over compensation for the weakness. A full knee replacement was recommended and this was carried out in hospital.

Following the surgery, our client was an inpatient and was advised that, due to her being unsteady, she should ask for assistance if she needed to get out of bed. She had already suffered one fall but needed to get out of bed during the night. She called for a nurse who assisted her to get out of bed. However, when our client wanted to return to bed, she was unable to reach the call bell, and was unable to raise anyone by shouting. Although she could hear nurses nearby, and other patients tried to summon help by using their own call bell, no one came to her assistance.

Eventually our client tried to return to bed on her own but fell again, opening the wound on her knee as she did so. Although the wound was treated at the time, the knee did not heal as expected and eventually an infection was identified and further surgery had to be carried out. Firstly, our client had to have the knee replacement removed, and then a new knee replacement inserted some weeks later.

All of this additional surgery meant that our client had to endure an extended hospital stay and then be re-admitted for the final knee replacement. The final outcome is far short of expectations. Initially medical evidence had thought she would regain 100 degree flexion, but this only reached 30 degrees and she has been advised this is now permanent. She is unable to walk more than 5 minutes, and has difficulty with stairs and getting on and off the bus.

The defendants admitted liability for this case of hospital negligence, in that they had failed to carry out appropriate risk assessments which would have identified alternative nursing practices, including making sure staff were available to assist her when required. Court proceedings had to be issued in this complaint against the hospital before the other side’s insurers offered an acceptable settlement. As a pensioner, there was no loss of earnings to contest, but our expert personal injury solicitors were able to secure £18,500 in hospital complaint compensation.

Compensation Claim for Medical Negligence

Have you or a member of your family suffered as a result of medical negligence? For more information about our service or for advice about whether we can assist you with a medical negligence compensation claim contact us today on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms. One of our representatives will contact you (without obligation) to discuss the matter further within 24 hours (48 hours at weekends).

Win or lose, there is nothing to pay in order for us to pursue a valid personal injury claim. There are some exceptions to this in Medical Negligence cases. Please go to our Costs and Risks section for more detailed information on these and how Clear Answers will handle your claim and funding.

Alternative funding arrangements may apply in Northern Ireland due to differing procedures and Law Society regulations.

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