Our clinical negligence solicitors were instructed to pursue a clinical negligence compensation claim against the hospital trust. This complex spinal surgery case was supported by specialist medical experts that dealt with both orthopaedic and neuro-surgical issues. The conflicting information initially provided to the client meant that our clinical negligence team and the specialist medical experts had to decipher the medical records very carefully.
Our client was diagnosed with cervical compression and needed to undergo surgery to decompress parts of his spine. Post-surgery, he complained of pins and needles and a lack of active movement in his arms; however, no investigatory action was undertaken, and he was discharged from hospital.
At a follow-up appointment, our client was confused after receiving some conflicting information regarding the operation and sought a second opinion. A scan shown a Myelomalacia, the softening of the spine, in some areas of our client’s spine. This meant there had been inadequate decompression, following the operation, which had resulted in further instability to his spine. As a result, he sadly suffered irreparable damage to one section of his spine, which forced him to use a wheelchair.
Following strenuous denials, ultimately there was an admission that damage at one specific part of the spine was negligent, caused by the failure to decompress appropriately. The hospital trust denied the remaining injuries. The operation note had, allegedly, been lost by the hospital trust. This made it difficult to piece together the jigsaw of conflicting information.
Despite persistent denials by the trust, we continued to research our client’s case and pull together all of the supporting evidence needed to secure a settlement. Although this was a complex and difficult case, we ensured that we continued to support our client and involved the appropriate medical experts where relevant.
Following final negotiations, we secured a settlement of £190,000, which will go some way to help support our client with his ongoing and future symptoms.
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