£1.4m for woman who lost her leg following negligence at Epsom General Hospital
85-year-old Mrs M, who previously enjoyed an active social life, gardening and travel and who regularly attended her local Mosque in Surrey, was booked into the hospital for what should have been relatively uncomplicated knee replacement surgery because of mobility problems.
However, following the operation, doctors failed to notice clear signs that she was suffering from serious vascular complications in her leg (an occluded right popliteal artery). Had they done so, Mrs M would have had a CT scan and been rushed for emergency surgery that night and her leg would have been saved.
Mrs M now relies on prosthesis and a wheelchair to get around and lives with her son and daughter- in-law, who help care for her along with a one-to-one carer. Mrs M's social life has been seriously curtailed and she suffers psychologically with PTSD, phantom pain, and mobility issues. Under normal circumstances, following knee replacement surgery Mrs M would have been expected to be able to resume an active and independent life.
Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust admitted breach of duty for Mrs M's care at Epsom General and admitted its failings led to Mrs M losing her leg. Following this admission, various experts were instructed to quantify Mrs M's losses, including her need for adapted accommodation, prosthetics, aids and ongoing physiotherapy to help her live her best possible life going forward.
The claim was progressed quickly in view of Mrs M's age and final settlement was agreed at a round table meeting.
Following settlement, Mrs M's son said his mother was 'deeply grateful for the advice and support' provided throughout the case by Helen Thompson, Deborah Nadel and Henry Witcomb QC.
"Thank you for your skill and tenacity to see this through and to always be on hand for advice and guidance," he said.
Contact us
For further information about amputation claims, please call Deborah Nadel on 03304606750 or email deborah.nadel@fieldfisher.com.
Alternatively
- You can speak to our medical negligence solicitors on freephone 0800 358 3848
- email us: personalinjury@fieldfisher.com
- Complete the short online enquiry form
All enquiries are completely free of charge and we will investigate all funding options for you including no win no fee. Find out more about no win no fee claims.