Negligent appendicectomy involving failure to remove entire appendix

We have recently settled a claim for damages for a client in relation to a failure to remove his entire appendix during a laparoscopic appendicectomy in February 2014.

Although post operatively our client was not noted to have any complications, he was admitted to hospital again in November 2017.

He had various tests, including a CT scan which confirmed the remnants of an appendix stump and underwent further surgery to remove this. After the operation, he developed sepsis and had a prolonged recovery before he was eventually discharged from hospital.

Supportive expert evidence was obtained and a letter of claim served against the trust which alleged that it was negligent to have retained the appendix stump. Had the appendix base been appropriately identified and managed, it would have been removed in February 2014, thus avoiding the need for readmission to hospital, further surgery and ongoing abdominal pain.

The trust passed matters to NHS Resolution which investigated the circumstances of our client’s claim and made an early admission of liability. Following this, the parties were able to engage in settlement negotiations and obtain damages to compensate for our client’s need to have further surgery and his additional pain and suffering.

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