Mid Essex Hospital Services Compensation Claim

If you have been injured in the care of Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for medical negligence. To speak to an expert about your situation, call Quittance on 0800 376 1001.

See also:

Personal Injury Solicitors in Essex

Medical negligence claims

Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust (2007) case study

A 64 year old woman was awarded a total of £600,000 (£741,394.03 RPI adjusted) in an out of court settlement after a hospital's negligence left her wheelchair-bound for life.

The woman, who was 60 at the date of her injury, was admitted to a hospital within the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust for a total replacement operation on her right hip.

Four days later the prosthetic hip joint became dislocated and required a further operation. Contrary to the hospital's own protocol, there was no assessment of her peripheral vascular system - either pre operatively or following the first procedure.

Two days after the second operation the claimant's right foot was mottled in appearance and she complained that the foot felt cold. This was noted and it was recorded that ‘distal pulses were difficult to feel'.

Despite this it was felt that she was probably suffering from a sciatic nerve palsy.

It was 6 days before a vascular emergency was recognised and the claimant was referred to the vascular team.

An arterial bypass graft and embolectomy was carried out to restore the blood flow in the leg. However this did not save the leg and 3 weeks later a below the knee amputation had to be performed.

Whilst undergoing treatment the claimant also sustained significant pressure sores to her sacrum and buttocks. These required surgical debridement on 2 separate occasions during her hospital stay.

The claimant brought a case against the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust for its negligence in failing to properly assess her circulation and failing to consider the diagnosis of acute-on-chronic limb ischaemia - causing delays in her referral to the vascular team. She claimed they also failed to assess the high risk of pressure sores and to implement an adequate nursing plan in relation to these.

As a result of its negligence she sustained a right sided below-knee amputation, and significant permanent scarring.

Subsequent development of knee contractures meant that attempts to mobilise her with a prosthetic limb were unsuccessful and she was left wheelchair-bound for life. The operation had left her unable to pursue many of her outdoor hobbies. She was also in permanent pain from the effects of scarring on her sacrum from the pressure sores and unable to sit or lie in one position for any length of time. It was not considered that plastic surgery would assist in relieving any of this sacral pain.

Compensation Settlement

The claimant was awarded a total of £600,000 (£741,394.03 RPI adjusted). An estimated breakdown of the award by the claimant's solicitors was as follows:

• General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity £65,000 (£80,317.69 RPI adjusted)
• Past losses, including limited property adaptations, past care and equipment £25,000
• Future losses, including transport costs, equipment, care, accommodation, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy £510,000.

Making a compensation claim against Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust

Making a claim for medical or clinical negligence can seem initially overwhelming. Hospital Trusts are large complex organisations. Just finding out what happened can be complicated.

The panel of solicitors have significant experience in taking on hospital trusts and securing financial compensation for people affected by clinical or medical negligence.

Call us on 0800 376 1001 to discuss your situation with a claims expert or find out what your claim could be worth.

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.