Amy visited her GP at 5pm on on 31 December 2009 due to severe abdomen pain. Amy’s GP told her that the pain was likely to be a ‘grumbling appendix’, however should the symptoms continue, she should inform the duty GP later in the evening.
The pain continued to increase and Amy revisited the GP 7.30pm again that night, she was rushed to hospital at around 8pm. The doctors confirmed that she had appendicitis and advised that the appendix would need to be removed via keyhole surgery as soon as it could be arranged.
The next day, Amy continued to complain of severe abdominal pain and was given painkillers. On 2 January, she advised the attending doctor that the pain had increased significantly and she was finally taken into surgery at 6.30pm on 2 January 2010 (46 hours after her initial admission to the hospital).
During the surgery, Amy’s appendix was perforated; this resulted in infection and the need for further open abdominal surgery. After the procedure, Amy’s scars became infected and they did not completely heal until March 2010. The surgery also resulted in nerve damage to her right leg and she still suffers numbness in her knee and upper thigh, the area is also painful to touch.
Our expert medical negligence lawyers, helped Amy bring a claim against the hospital for negligent delay in performing the surgery. Also, because of the appendix perforation and subsequent abdominal surgery, Amy experienced additional scarring and an increased recovery period.
Leeds based Clinical Negligence Solicitor Margaret Ryan negotiated a compensation payment for Amy of £7,000.