£2.35m for below-knee amputee following mistakes at Northwick Park hospital

Mark Bowman achieved settlement of more than £2m on behalf of a young man who had to have a below-knee amputation after medics at Northwick Park hospital failed to recognise septic arthritis in his ankle, which nearly proved fatal.

31-year-old Ayanle Omer went to Ealing Hospital complaining of pain in his leg. Following assessment and an x-ray he was told he had suffered a small fracture in his foot. He was discharged home with a protective boot but no pain killers. He was given an outpatient appointment for one months' time.

After severe pain and symptoms of pins and needles got worse, Ayanle went by ambulance to the A&E department at Northwick Park hospital. After he had waited nearly four hours to be seen in A&E, Ayanle, was assessed by a nurse in the Urgent Care Unit instead and again discharged home, this time with pain killers. The nurse told Aynale that a second x-ray confirmed that he had fractured his foot.

Over the next day at home, Ayanle became seriously unwell, was confused, could not eat or pass urine. Eventually, his family called another ambulance and a paramedic informed the hospital that Ayanle was seriously ill and would need to be admitted.

Arriving at the hospital, Ayanle was diagnosed with sepsis and remained in a coma for two weeks. His organs begun to shut down and his family was told that he would not survive. He underwent surgery to amputate his right leg below the knee and has subsequently undergone at least a dozen further operations. Ayanle stayed at Northwick Park hospital for six weeks. He has since been fitted with a prosthesis.

Ayanle's claim against the London North West Hospital Trust, which runs Northwick Park Hospital, is that he was not properly assessed nor did staff recognise clear signs of sepsis.

Following admission, Mark accessed interim funds to pay for much needed rehabilitation for Ayanle. A case manager was appointed to manage, among other therapies and support, a move to accommodation suitable for Ayanle's needs.

The case eventually settled recently for £2.35m.

Contact us

For further information about negligence claims for amputees, please call Mark Bowman on 03304606794 or email mark.bowman@fieldfisher.com.

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