The client was diagnosed with cervical compression and had to undergo surgery to decompress parts of his spine. After his operation, he complained of pins and needles and a lack of active movement in his arms, however no investigatory action was undertaken and the client was discharged from hospital.
At a follow-up appointment there was some confusion around and conflicting information given regarding the operation. A second opinion recommended a scan which found the presence of the condition, Myloemalcia, at the same locations in the client’s spine. This meant there had been inadequate decompression which had resulted in further instability to his spine. The client had sadly suffered irreparable damage to one particular section of the spinal cord which forced him to use a wheelchair.
Anthony Collins Solicitors’ clinical negligence experts were instructed to pursue a claim against the NHS Hospital Trust and this complex spinal surgery case was supported by specialist medical expertise dealing with both orthopaedic and neuro-surgical issues. The conflicting information provided to the client meant the team had to decipher the medical records very carefully, in line with the factual evidence that was collected on his behalf.
Following strenuous denials, ultimately there was an admission that damage at one specific part of the spine was negligent and that there had been a failure to decompress appropriately. The remaining injuries were denied. The operation note had allegedly been lost by the Hospital Trust which made it difficult to piece the jigsaw of conflicting information together. Following final negotiations, a satisfactory settlement was reached from the perspective of the client, enabling him to better control his future and ongoing physical symptoms.
“I can only suggest that if there are no notes there must be pressure put on to the NHS to keep better notes. This case was handled by Sarah Huntbach who did the best she could without full information of the surgical operation. Thank you.” Client S
For help with a potential clinical negligence claim, please contact Sarah Huntbach on sarah.huntbach@anthonycollins.com or 0121 214 3579.
The Academies Financial Handbook is updated annually by the Department for Education and the Education and Skills Funding Agency; it contains a number of governance requirements for academy trusts.
Supreme Court publishes key decision for those working in the UK’s gig economy.
From 6 April 2021, it will be the responsibility of medium and large private sector organisations to assess whether contractors working through an intermediary come within the ambit of IR35.
The 'Chocolate Snowman Appeal' is an amazing initiative that Anthony Collins Solicitors' (ACS) employees take part in every year.
The Building Safety Bill (the Bill) is said to be the most significant and wide-ranging change to the regulatory environment for higher risk building (HRBs) for over 45 years.
On 4 November 2020, the Restriction of Public Exit Payments Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) came into force; exit payments for the public sector were capped at £95,000.
The case was brought by the Official Receiver who sought disqualification orders under section 6 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (CDDA 1986) against the seven trustees of Kids Company and its CEO. It illustrates well the tension between the role of a fulltime paid CEO of a large charity and the role of its board as voluntary trustees/directors.
At the end of 2020, The Charity Governance Code was updated or 'refreshed' as it is termed on its website.
Anthony Collins Solicitors is today (Thursday 11 February) revealing the scale of its social impact during 2020.
In their first podcast of this series, current and future trainees will discuss their journey and route to securing a training contract at Anthony Collins Solicitors.
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.