Samantha Critchley secured
£125,000 compensation for damage who suffered congestive heart
failure and renal failure following hip replacement
surgery.
Janet had a hip replacement operation on 21 September
2000. She developed an infection post operatively. Prior
to the surgery she suffered from a heart condition.
She was prescribed gentamicin (a strong antibiotic)
in an attempt to eradicate the infection. She also underwent
surgery on two further occasions to “wash out” the infected
hip. During her admission her gentamicin toxicity levels
were not taken and her heart tablets were stopped.
In November, Janet was readmitted to hospital with
acute renal failure secondary to gentamicin toxicity. She
also had significant difficulties due to dizziness, hearing loss
and loss of mobility.
This was compounded by congestive heart failure,
which was because she was off her tablets. She required
admission to hospital in February 2001 for cardiac
problems.
We contended that the treatment received
by Janet was negligent and in particular that she was given
too much gentamicin which resulted in the renal failure, hearing
loss and dizziness etc. Moreover these conditions meant that she
was not able to take her heart tablets.
Following an internal investigation, the defendant
admitted liability in respect of inadequate monitoring of the
gentamicin level and accepted this had resulted in the renal
failure.
The defendant, however, denied liability in
relation to the heart failure, the residual dizziness, the loss of
balance and hearing loss.
We obtained expert evidence which supported the
allegations of negligence
and causation of all Janet's problems and eventually liability was
admitted.
The defendant contended that the majority of
Janet's disability resulted to her underlying health condition
rather than the negligence.
The matter was set down for trial fixed for 12 July
2005. After lengthy negotiations in the matter, Sam Critchley settled in the sum of £125,000
plus costs. The case was funded by Legal
Aid.
For further information or if you have an general medicine claim, call Samantha Critchley on
020 7861 4263 or email samantha.critchley@ffw.com
You can discuss your general medicine
claim with any member of our medical negligence team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.