Neglected Symptoms: Our client was seen at home 5 days post birth by two midwives. By this time, she was experiencing severe pain at her caesarean site, a foul smell from the wound, and a fever. Despite raising these concerns, the trainee midwife only changed the dressing and reassured her that the seeping wound was not a cause for worry.

Deterioration and Hospital Admission: Overnight and into the next day, our client’s condition worsened, with fever, sweating, shaking, and increased pain. She attended the birth centre that evening, where her wound was found to be red, swollen, and leaking fluid. Tests confirmed sepsis, and she required surgery for debridement of the infected wound.

Ongoing Complications: Post-surgery, our client needed IV antibiotics and monitoring. Despite initial improvements, she experienced further complications and a CT scan on 23 June revealed an infected collection, necessitating another urgent surgery and the application of a VAC dressing.

Recovery and Long-Term Impact: Our client was discharged from hospital over two weeks later but required frequent follow-ups. The wound took twice as long to heal as expected, resulting in increased scar tissue, discomfort, and restricted movement.  In addition to the physical impact our client developed an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as a specific phobia of medical care. She is also fearful of becoming pregnant again. Psychological therapy has been recommended to help her cope with these issues.

Conclusion: We alleged that the Trust failed to treat our client’s caesarean wound infection and as a result the infection was neglected, leading to the development of sepsis.  The claim was fully denied by the Trust.  We challenged their response which led to the Trust making a very reasonable offer of settlement, which our client accepted.

This case highlights the critical importance of thorough and timely postnatal care. The negligence in our client’s care led to severe physical and psychological consequences. The support and intervention of SJP Law were crucial in addressing these failures and securing the necessary treatment and compensation for our client.

Our client had the following to say about our service:-

The service I received was beyond professional. The member of staff that dealt with my case was very understanding and patient with me. It gave me piece of mind and took the stress out of it all for me.

Thank you to Emma White, you are the most professional and understanding person I have ever dealt with and made the whole process easy.

The post Failure to treat caesarean wound infection leading to sepsis appeared first on Medical Accident Claimline.

“It was very hard going at times, but looking ahead you realised she would have to be able to fend for herself as much as possible.” The damages have provided the degree of independence that the mother sought for her daughter and the family. Their home has been adapted as necessary, the young lady has learned to drive a specially adapted car and her familiarity with computer technologies increases the communication skills she needs to do her job. Those damages, as planned, will enable her to purchase her own home and provide an income support in the years ahead.

The post Coping with clinical failure appeared first on Medical Accident Claimline.

In 1991 I gave birth to my son. At an early age he was diagnosed with the condition Cerebral Palsy which affects his muscle control and movement as well as his mental ability. His complex needs means he is unable to look after himself and requires continuous care.

As a close knit family we adapted to care for our son’s needs. Both my husband and I work within the medical profession so felt, with the support of those around us, we were capable of looking after his on-going requirements.

From the beginning we believed there was some negligence on the part of the hospital at the time of our son’s birth. However as we felt capable of looking after him and had the financial stability to do so, we didn’t pursue the matter any further.

In 1999, nineteen years later, I contacted Stamp, Jackson and Procter regarding an injury I had received to my leg. A friend had made the suggestion so after I saw an advertisement on TV I decided to call.

A solicitor visited and discussed my accident however after some advice I decided not to pursue the case. During the visit the solicitor met my son and I explained about his special needs. They listened to our circumstances and advised that even though nineteen years had passed, they believed the hospital had been negligent and that it would be in our son’s best interests to bring a case against them.

At first my husband and I were greatly reluctant. We had managed for nineteen years, our son was happy, we had a routine, as far as we were concerned our house was suitable and should we unfortunately no longer be able to look after him then our other son would help with his care.

The solicitor from SJP Law was also very honest and advised us that it would be a long process and it would mean our son having to see a number of experts. Such cases could be stressful and intrusive at times, all of which seemed very daunting.

However, over time and after some discussions with SJP Law, we came to realise that if we were successful then our son, who was growing into a young man, would stand to benefit from any compensation. This would mean he could have professional carers for the rest of his life and would not have to rely on his brother. It would also mean that we could afford to buy equipment to aid him.

From the start, SJP Law and their team were approachable, professional and helpful. My husband and I insisted we were informed of every decision and wanted to be involved as much as possible in the process. We were continuously kept updated with emails and phone calls and if there was something we were unsure of, Shaun and his team took the time to explain the details to us. They were also very respectful of our wishes to keep direct involvement with our son to a minimum due to his lack of understanding and anxiety issues.

Due to the complexity of the case, SJP Law employed a large team of experts plus a case management team. It occasionally meant travelling to London but we were keen to attend every meeting to hear the expert’s opinions. The case took place in the Royal Courts of Justice in London and was eventually settled after five years. A substantial settlement was awarded.

There were highs and lows throughout the case. The most upsetting, was when we finally received an apology from the hospital and their admittance that there was negligence on their part. This was upsetting because we realised that had they not been negligent our son’s circumstances may have been very different. However, it also meant that they were willing to accept they were at fault and with the compensation awarded, our son would want for nothing for the rest of his life.

To us it was worth going through the process just to have the peace of mind that our son would be looked after even when we are no longer capable of taking care of him.

Although the case is concluded, SJP Law continue to be a constant source of support to our family. They have helped set up a care and case management regime for our son, together with therapy. They have also helped us buy and set up a new home that is adapted with the aids and equipment our son needs. We have also appointed them to help manage the compensation our son received as we know they will act in his future best interests.

Thanks to all of the team at SJP Law we are able to move on with our lives knowing that we have their support and our son is well cared for. I would definitely recommend anyone, who finds themselves in similar circumstances, to contact Shaun Rylands and his team.

The post At an early age my son was diagnosed with the condition Cerebral Palsy appeared first on Medical Accident Claimline.

Background: Our client was urgently admitted to Grimsby Maternity Hospital after being diagnosed with toxaemia. She was given Valium and induced into labour with three doses of Syntocinon, exceeding the standard practice of two doses. Following a traumatic birth, her daughter, Natalie, was delivered with forceps and immediately taken to the special neonatal care unit due to health concerns, where she stayed for 19 days.

Early Challenges: When Natalie was brought home, her parents sensed something was wrong. She had difficulty feeding and cried constantly. A specialist assessment at Grimsby Hospital revealed that Natalie had cerebral palsy and several other disabilities. As Natalie grew, her needs increased, prompting her parents to seek professional care.

Finding the Right Care: After an extensive search, the family found Stonecroft House, a Leonard Cheshire Home, to be the most suitable care facility for Natalie. Despite initial funding challenges, they secured the necessary support, and Natalie began her residential placement.

Legal Support: At a local Cerebral Palsy Society meeting, our client met Neil Holland from SJP Law. Years later, she approached Neil to discuss a potential clinical negligence case against the NHS and maternity staff. Her detailed journals documenting Natalie’s medical history proved invaluable in building the case.

Legal Battle: The case took six years to resolve, with the defending side weakening in the final years.  SJP Law secured a substantial award to support Natalie’s lifetime needs. The funds were placed with the Court of Protection, but accessing the money proved challenging due to bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies.

Transition to a Trust: Frustrated with the delays, the family switched the management of the award to a trust set up with SJP Law. This decision provided immediate access to funds and resolved the issues associated with the Office of Public Guardian. Neil, as the main trustee, ensured the correct management of the award, offering long-term confidence and peace of mind.

Ongoing Support: The trust allowed for the investment of capital, employment law advice, property advice, and payroll processing for Natalie’s carers. The comprehensive support from SJP Law enabled the family to focus on enjoying their time with Natalie without worrying about financial and care management.

The post A Lifelong Journey of Care and Support appeared first on Medical Accident Claimline.

Legal Battle: After extensive discussions with the NHS trust involved and shortly after initiating court proceedings, the hospital admitted fault for her injuries. The hospital’s chief executive sent a heartfelt letter of apology to the family and accepted the legal claim. However, the journey was far from over.

A New Home: At 18, the young woman moved out of her family home, which was no longer suitable for her needs, to a residential care home. Her family sought to move her to a specially adapted home where she could live with them. This request led to a court hearing, where the family sought interim payments of just over £1 million to fund the move. Despite objections from the defendant, the family prevailed, and the judge ordered the payment.

Adapting to New Needs: To ensure the young woman’s needs were met, disability architects were instructed to find a suitable property. Collaborating with the family, plans were drawn up to adapt and extend the house to cater to all their requirements. The house was purchased with the interim payment, and work began even before the case was concluded.

Settlement and Support: Four years after the case began, a meeting between the legal teams resulted in a settlement without the need for a trial. The case was settled for an overall sum of around £6.2 million, including annual payments of £160,000 to cover the cost of our client’s team of carers. This settlement is believed to be one of the highest achieved in the region.

Ongoing Assistance: SJP Law continue to support the family by administering the awarded damages, acting as trustees, providing investment advice, and offering professional support to the family and the team of carers.

This story highlights the perseverance and dedication of a family seeking justice and a better life for their loved one, proving that it is never too late to make a difference.

The post It’s not always too late to get compensation appeared first on Medical Accident Claimline.