We pursued a paediatrics
negligence claim for Martin following a failure by A&E to
diagnose appendicitis on a number of occasions. This resulted in
Martin undergoing unnecessary surgery. He was awarded £7,500
compensation.
On 18 February 1996, Martin, a four year-old boy, was taken by
his mother, Emily, to the Minor Injuries Unit at St. Bartholomew’s
Hospital.
The history given was of vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and
sore throat for 3 days. He was transferred to the Royal London
Hospital.
An abdominal x-ray confirmed distension of the bowel.
Preliminary diagnoses of urinary tract infection and
gastroenteritis were made and Martin was transferred to the
paediatric department.
Martin was seen by a general surgeon, who noted that he had not
opened his bowels for four days. It was concluded there was a
blockage in the colon and a secondary urinary tract infection and
IV antibiotics were commenced later that night. Martin was
discharged on 19 February.
On 23 February 1996, Martin was examined by his GP, who
confirmed pyrexia and found Martin’s abdomen to be tender, with
guarding. Martin’s GP referred him back to the Royal London
Hospital.
Martin was seen at the accident and emergency department at the
Royal London Hospital later that day. Appendicitis was excluded.
Later, he was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
where appendicitis was immediately diagnosed. An operation was
performed that night and he was found to have a perforated
appendix.
Martin’s post operative recovery was complicated by a wound
infection, which required further surgery to drain pus from his
wound.
Martin was allowed home on 14 March 1996 and was readmitted
on 17 March 1996 when he had secondary suture of his abdominal
wound. Martin had intermittent abdominal pain for several months
following these procedures.
We were instructed to pursue a paediatrics negligence claim on Martin's
behalf.
Our expert paediatric surgery evidence indicated that a
diagnosis of appendicitis should have been made at the first
admission on 18 February 1996.
There was also a delay in diagnosing appendicitis when Martin
re-presented on 23 February. If the diagnosis of appendicitis
been made on 18 February, Martin would have avoided the peritonitis
that was present by the time of his operation on 23 February.
Additional surgical procedures would have been avoided and Martin
could have resumed normal activities within 6 weeks.
The defendant initially denied liability but the claim was
settled on 20 September 2001 and Martin received £7,500
compensation for the delay in diagnosing appendicitis.
For further information or if you have a paediatrics negligence claim please
call Paul McNeil on 020 7861
4019 or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com
You can discuss your paediatrics negligence claim with any
member of our medical negligence team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.