Case studies
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Failure to diagnose cervical instability
We acted on behalf of a girl with a rare genetic condition resulting in short stature. The condition also has a number of other conditions associated with it, including cervical instability.
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Failure to diagnose Cushing's disease
Cushing's disease can arise from a tumour secreting the hormone hydrocortisone and can result in weight gain, typically distributed over the face, neck, shoulders and hips with characteristic hair growth and often purple stretch marks over the abdomen.
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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).
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Failure to diagnose fracture of the humerus properly
Our medical negligence solicitors are investigating on behalf of a minor a claim arising from a fracture to the upper arm (humerus) at the elbow.
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Failure to diagnose infection following carpal tunnel surgery
Our client had been suffering pain in his hand and wrist and found his grip affected and, therefore, his work as a plumber. He was advised to undergo routine carpal tunnel release surgery.
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Failure to diagnose muscle rupture
We acted on behalf of a lady who presented to hospital with pain in her calf. She was inappropriately treated with Fragmin because of an erroneous working diagnosis of a deep vein thrombosis.
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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.
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Failure to fix orthopaedic fracture properly
Our client, a professional footballer, fractured his leg in the course of a match. He was taken to hospital and underwent surgery to fix the fracture. However, this was negligently performed.
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Failure to identify and correct error in bowel surgery
Our client had a temporary colostomy whilst she was treated with radiotherapy for anal cancer. After the successful cancer treatment, the temporary colostomy was reversed, but she suffered on-going problems and eventually decided to have a permanent colostomy.
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Failure to identify bleeding following heart surgery
Our client underwent heart surgery after which he was found to be suffering inadequate blood circulation. The hospital failed initially to consider that this might be caused by internal bleeding and it was several hours before this was identified.
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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.
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Failure to investigate/diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome
Our client attended her local A&E with signs of CES. These were noted by the A&E doctor and she was correctly referred to the orthopaedic team. There was a disagreement about the evidence for CES and a senior orthopaedic doctor was therefore involved.
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Failure to keep good records leads to conditional registration for 15 months
Mr S had been practising for many years and was brought before the fitness to practise panel of a healthcare regulator in relation to allegations of a clinical nature and shortcomings with his record keeping.
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Failure to manage a bone infection after treating a fractured leg
Our client broke her leg during a charity parachute jump. The fracture did not unite properly and her treating surgeons decided a bone graft was needed. Unfortunately, they neglected to identify an infection in the wound that was diagnosed only when our client experienced severe pain inside her plaster.
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Failure to manage complications following a caesarean section
Our client, K, underwent a caesarean section following complications during labour. Prior to the caesarean section, the defendant negligently failed to undertake a further examination that would have shown that a straightforward instrumental delivery would be possible.
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Failure to monitor patient following excision of brain tumour
Following successful surgery in which a large, benign tumour was removed from our 8-year old client's brain by frontal craniotomy, she was transferred to the neurology ward.
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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.
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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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Failure to remove placenta at caesarean section leading to post-partum haemorrhage
Our claimant’s case was that a large piece of retained placenta was negligently missed during her daughter’s birth by caesarean section.
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Failure to resuscitate and to operate properly
In this case, an elderly patient in hospital with a known bowel obstruction collapsed.