Failure to report abnormal cervical smear

Mrs Hayes had a cervical smear after complaining of vaginal discharge and cervical bleeding. The smear showed abnormal cells and it was therefore reported as being abnormal with a recommendation for a further smear one year later. The repeat smear test performed a year later also showed formation of abnormal cells, but on this occasion it was wrongly reported as normal.  As a result, cervical cancer went untreated and Mrs Hayes died.

We pursued a claim on behalf of Mrs Hayes’s family on the basis that if the second smear test had been reported correctly, the cancer would have been diagnosed and treated and Mrs Hayes would have survived.

Compensation: £234,112.70

Delayed diagnosis of breast cancer

On detecting a lump in her breast Miss Jones saw a consultant for a clinical examination, tests were done and she was advised that it was a fatty lump which was entirely benign. Some months later, the lump began to enlarge and Miss Jones was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo a mastectomy.

We pursued a claim for Miss Jones because the original tests had not been carried out properly leading to a 20-month delay in diagnosis. If the cancer had been diagnosed earlier a mastectomy would not have been necessary.

Compensation: £50,000

Incorrect diagnosis of lung cancer

Following a chest x-ray, Mrs Gooding was told she had lung cancer, however a subsequent bronchoscopy showed no tumour. Relying only the chest x-ray and a further CT scan, the doctors decided to remove her right lung. After the operation it was discovered that there was in fact no evidence of malignancy.

We pursued a claim for Mrs Gooding for the unnecessary removal of her lung.

Compensation: £10,000     

Failure to diagnose DVT

After Mr Green had fractured his right ankle and his leg had been put in a cast, he developed pain in his calf. Despite complaining to his GP and the hospital, he was reassured that there were no problems. Mr Green’s pain continued and when the cast was finally removed it was discovered that he had developed a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

We pursued a claim for Mr Green on the basis that his plaster should have been removed as soon as he developed calf pain and investigations should have been carried out which would have resulted in diagnosis of the DVT. Earlier treatment would have avoided ongoing complications.

Compensation: £10,000  

Failure to treat DVT

Mr Blears went to his GP complaining of shooting pains in his right calf and tightness in his chest, some months earlier he had suffered from DVT, which had resolved after taking medication. The GP told him that his blood pressure was too low and sent him home. A few days later Mr Blears collapsed at home and died.

We pursued a claim on behalf of Mr Blears’s family for the failure by the GP to refer Mr Blears to hospital where the diagnosis of DVT and pulmonary embolism would have been made and he would have received treatment that would probably have prevented his death.
 
Compensation: £40,000

Failure to provide DVT prophylaxis 

Mr Hill was advised that he needed surgery after injuring his back. However, due to an administrative error, he remained in hospital waiting for the operation for two weeks, during which time he developed DVT.

We pursued a claim for Mr Hill because he was at risk of developing DVT due to his prolonged period of immobility and should have received DVT prophylaxis.

Compensation: £10,000

Failure to diagnose DVT

Mr Jenkins attended hospital after developing a sudden pain in his left calf. He was advised to see his GP who prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. His condition worsened and despite going back to hospital on two further occasions no action was taken. Mr Jenkins began to have breathing difficulties and he was urgently admitted to hospital with suspected DVT/pulmonary embolism. He collapsed and died before treatment could be started.

We pursued a claim on behalf of Mr Jenkins’s family as the DVT should have been diagnosed and treated earlier, thereby avoiding the pulmonary embolism.

Compensation: £140,000

Delayed diagnosis of testicular torsion

Mr Evans presented at hospital with pain in his lower abdomen, on informing a doctor that his right testicle felt hard, he was told that he had an infection and was discharged with antibiotics. Some hours later the pain had not subsided and he re-attended hospital where he was referred for surgical exploration and a testicular torsion was revealed. The testicle was gangrenous and had to be removed.

We pursued a claim for Mr Evans as the torsion should have been diagnosed during his first attendance at hospital, when surgical correction would have prevented loss of the testicle.

Compensation: £24,000

Delayed diagnosis of compartment syndrome

After knee surgery Mr Smith’s leg became painful and swollen, he was given morphine, his bed was elevated and an ice pack applied. He had developed compartment syndrome in which increased pressure in the tissues in his leg caused the blood supply to be cut off. There was a delay in diagnosing the compartment syndrome and in carrying out surgery to release the pressure in the leg leading to permanent injury.

Compensation: £32,000

Delayed diagnosis of DDH

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition in which a baby’s hips fail to form properly. Sarah’s hips were tested at birth and a few weeks later but were wrongly assessed as normal. When Sarah began walking at 14 months, she appeared to have difficulties but her parents were reassured that there was no cause for concern. Sarah’s problems continued and one year later she was diagnosed as suffering from bilateral DDH. She had to undergo extensive corrective surgery and was left severely disabled.

We pursued a claim for Sarah on the basis that DDH could and should have been diagnosed and treated within a few weeks of Sarah’s birth and that this early treatment would have allowed her hips to develop normally. The Hospital denied liability and eventually the claim went to trial where the Judge found in Sarah’s favour and awarded compensation.

Compensation: £355,000

Failure to diagnose perforated oesophagus

After swallowing a piece of lamb bone and experiencing discomfort, Mr Stevens attended hospital twice, only to be discharged on both occasions having been advised that he had scratched his throat. His condition worsened and days later he was admitted to hospital where he died of pneumonia and septicaemia. Post mortem examination revealed that Mr Stevens’s oesophagus had been perforated by the lamb bone.

We pursued a claim on behalf of Mr Stevens’s widow on the basis that there was unreasonable delay in diagnosing and treating the oesophageal perforation. Evidence from independent medical experts indicated that prompt treatment would have saved Mr Stevens’s life.

Compensation: £80,000   

These are genuine case studies, although the names of our clients have been changed to protect their right to privacy and confidentiality.