Our client suffers from multiple sclerosis but was managing well. She began experiencing back pain and increased urinary frequency. Her GP suspected that she had a urinary tract infection and prescribed antibiotics for this, but her symptoms did not improve. She began suffering from increasing pain around her back passage and discovered that her skin in this area had changed colour. She immediately saw her GP, who diagnosed a perianal abscess, and our client was admitted to the defendant hospital for treatment. The hospital diagnosed our client with necrotising fasciitis, and she underwent three operations to drain, debride and to have a defunctioning loop transverse colostomy fitted.
Following surgery, our client found that she was constantly wet from the colostomy bag leaking and every time she ate or drank, she suffered severe stomach pains. Our client became extremely unwell as a result of a high output stoma. A few days later, blood was noticed in her stoma bag and an investigatory endoscopy was undertaken. This had to be converted to open surgery, as it was discovered that the colostomy had been fitted incorrectly, and instead of her bowel being pulled through the stoma, it was our client’s stomach. Our client faced a slow recovery from the repair surgery, including treatment on the intensive care unit, which affected her a great deal psychologically. Fortunately, she made a good long-term recovery.
The hospital admitted that they had failed our client when they fitted the colostomy, but they denied the extent of the injuries which she suffered as a consequence of their negligence. Following out of Court settlement negotiations, our client accepted an offer of £20,000 in compensation for her ordeal.
How can we help you?
Every year, we help lots of clients win the compensation they deserve. This case study is an example of how we have helped clients claim compensation for missed or delayed diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture. Please be aware that the compensation amounts depend on the client’s individual situation and experiences. To see how much your claim could be worth please contact us directly.
