Settlement after GP negligence led to cardiac arrest and emergency surgery on holiday
Mr Morris went to his GP complaining of short bursts of central chest pain and tightening in his left arm on waking and when exercising, which made him sweaty and short of breath. Despite these concerning symptoms, the GP simply prescribed a spray typically given to patients with angina, and arranged a non-urgent ECG. Mr Morris was left believing that he did not have any significant issues.
In fact, his symptoms should have mandated referral to a local Urgent Chest Pain Clinic with the advice to go to A&E immediately if his symptoms got worse or more frequently.
Mr Morris continued to suffer from the above symptoms but proceeded with a planned holiday to Paris with his partner.
While in Paris, Mr Morris suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed. His partner began CPR before a local medical student who had seen what happened came to help. Mr Morris was rushed to a local cardiac hospital by ambulance where he required emergency surgery to insert a stent into the left anterior descending artery. He was placed into a coma for four days, developed pneumonia and remained an inpatient for 10 days.
After he returned home, Mr Morris required time off work and a lot of care and support from his partner. Thanks to the prompt resuscitation and excellent treatment he received in Paris, he has made a remarkable recovery and is now back to working full-time and enjoying life as normal.
Mr Morris instructed Jamie Green to investigate his claim. He obtained correspondence from the GP surgery confirming that Mr Morris should have been referred to the Urgent Chest Pain Clinic following his initial appointment. He also obtained a report from a Cardiologist who said that, with appropriate and timely referral, Mr Morris would have still likely required a stent to be inserted but this would have been done as a planned procedure and his recovery time would have been minimal.
Jamie subsequently sent a Letter of Claim to the GP who, following their own investigations, admitted liability but argued that Mr Morris would have required a similar period of recovery regardless of whether the stent procedure had been planned, or an urgent procedure following a cardiac arrest. Protracted discussions and negotiations were required, ultimately resulting in a five-figure settlement before Court proceedings were issued.
Following settlement, Mr Morris said:
"I had heard of Fieldfisher and knew they had a good reputation but in a way I came across them by chance. Having made no progress with my complaint, the Ombudsman advised me to consider instructing a solicitor and I contacted Fieldfisher as I saw they had an office near my home and they specialised in medical negligence.
"It was one of the best decisions I made. Jamie took on the case and has been a constant support. All his communications have been excellent, timely and informative. He was completely on top of his brief which meant that we achieved what I believe was the best possible settlement.
"Suffering a cardiac arrest and having to rehabilitate myself was incredibly traumatic. Initially I didn’t know what to do or how to go about it. I am so glad that I contacted Jamie to pursue this case because I think it’s important to mark officially that something went badly wrong in the lack of care, that there were emotional and financial costs because of that, and that it was important to offer redress. I’m pleased that I can now close this distressing chapter and move on with my life."
*Name changed
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For further information about delayed diagnosis claims or GP negligence claims, please call Jamie Green on 03304606771 or email jamie.green@fieldfisher.com.Alternatively
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