We successfully obtained compensation in the sum of £10,000 for the family of a 70-year-old gentleman. They received compensation following a hospital staff’s failure to adequately diagnose and treat his pressure sore (skin ulcer), which led to his very sad death.
The negligent treatment
Our client was a bilateral amputee due to diabetes and had a number of underlying health conditions. He was admitted to hospital for a number of weeks due to a problem with his pre-existing illnesses. Unfortunately, he suffered as a result of poor nursing care whilst he was an inpatient. For example, our client’s meals were often missed, his call bell was left out of reach, and he was left to sit in his own excrement. A truly horrible situation for our client.
During the hospital admission, he complained of leg pain which appeared to be worsening. Despite this, and despite the fact that our client was very unwell, no action was taken and he was discharged home. During the ambulance journey home our client was so unwell that he suffered from severe vomiting.
The following day the district nurses were due to come out to change the dressings he had on his legs. Unfortunately, there was a delay in the nurses receiving the referral from the hospital and nobody had mentioned that our client was suffering from pressure sores.
The district nurses did visit our client at home after a couple of days. When the nurses removed the bandages on his legs they saw a sore so severe that the bone was showing through the skin with black tissue surrounding it (the most severe category of pressure sore). Upon further examination a second sore was found in the buttocks area.
Our Client attended the hospital a few days later for a routine appointment and was so ill that he was admitted as an inpatient straight away. Unfortunately, he was suffering from sepsis as a result of the significant leg sore. Sadly, he passed away shortly after.
How we helped
We were instructed by the family to pursue a clinical negligence claim. We commenced thorough investigations, which involved a full review of our client’s medical records. Despite the hospital confirming that the records relating to our client’s last two admissions had been lost, we proceeded to bring forward a claim.
Whilst partial admissions were made by the defendant hospital, not all negligent care was admitted in full. We remained strong in our views and proceeded to seek evidence from both a nursing expert and a consultant geriatrician, who were fully supportive of the claim that the defendant breached their duty of care for failing to adequately diagnose and treat our client’s pressure sore.
We were delighted to successfully reach settlement in the sum of £10,000 in compensation for our client’s family.
How can we help you?
We help lots of clients every year claim the compensation they deserve. This case study demonstrates how we have helped clients claim compensation for pressure sores. 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.
