Case studies

• Failure to diagnose sub-acute bacterial endocarditis
  Not all claims relating to infections concern diseases contracted in hospital. In this case, we acted for a client with a known hole in his heart that did not need treatment, but for which he attended regular check-ups because of his increased susceptibility to cardiac infections.
• Failure to diagnose bacterial meningitis
  Our client contracted bacterial meningitis, which his local hospital failed to diagnose and treat. As a result, he suffered severe brain damage, demonstrating in weakness down his right side, paralysis and cognitive difficulties.
• Substantial damages for negligent management of foot fracture
  We have recently settled a claim for substantial damages against Western Sussex Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust following its failure to act on signs and symptoms of fracture to our client's foot.
• Failure to recognise risks of deep vein thromboses
  Our client had a complicated medical history, with diabetes, hypertension and gallstones. She fractured one of her toes and had a below knee plaster cast fitted and was then admitted to hospital to have her gall bladder removed.
• Failure to diagnose deep venous thrombosis
  We are presently pursuing a claim for a man who attended at hospital with a rare type of deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
• Delayed diagnosis of osteoarthritis in the hips following unnecessary knee surgery
  We settled a claim for a client who had undergone knee surgery due to ongoing pain in her knees. Subsequent investigations suggested that, in fact, the pain was not caused by a problem in her knees but actually stemmed from osteoarthritis in her hips.
• Failure to investigate and treat testicular torsions properly
  Testicular torsion is a relatively rare occurrence, but when it arises it requires treatment within a very short timescale or the testicle is at risk of being lost.
• Permanent symptoms following failure to diagnose an obvious infection in the shoulder post-operatively
  Our client, who was a keen golfer and fisherman, had what was intended to be a straightforward arthroscopy procedure to his right shoulder following the onset of pain.
• Failure to diagnose bile leak following a routine operation
  We have settled a claim against Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust for failing to diagnose our client’s bile leak following a routine cholecystectomy.
• Failure to recognise signs of sepsis resulting in delayed diagnosis of meningitis
  We obtained approval for a settlement on liability in a claim brought on behalf of a child against Watford General Hospital in relation to an alleged negligent delay in diagnosis of meningococcal septicaemia. As a result of this delay, the child’s leg had to be amputated.

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