Specialist medical negligence solicitor Natalie Jones acted for a client who suffered from constant urinary incontinence and had unnecessary surgery as a result of the negligence of the doctors at her local hospital.

Our client, Jane, underwent a hysterectomy to treat uterine cancer. Within a couple of weeks of surgery, she began to experience urinary incontinence. Jane was given antibiotics and endured various invasive tests, following which medical staff said she would require TVT surgery (a tape to support the ureter tube from the bladder).

Unnecessary suffering

Despite having the invasive surgery, Jane experienced no relief from her symptoms at all, despite being assured this would resolve matters. 

Jane eventually sought a second opinion after she had been suffering with constant and debilitating urinary incontinence for almost a year. 

Scans revealed a vesicovaginal fistula (a hole directly linking the bladder and vagina), which can be a common occurrence after surgery. Jane had been suffering unnecessarily, as the fistula was evident on previous scans she’d had at the defendant hospital. 

Jane underwent surgery to repair the fistula and eventually recovered her urinary function. 

Inappropriate, ineffective surgery

The hospital's failure to diagnose the fistula for over a year meant that Jane suffered unnecessarily and also had additional surgery that was inappropriate and ineffective. She may require further surgery as a result. 
Jane's symptoms dramatically affected her whole life including her ability to run her business and maintain her home. She understandably became depressed as a result. 

Natalie Jones of Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office obtained expert medical evidence which confirmed that the failure to make the diagnosis was negligent and matters could and should have been resolved with surgery when the symptoms first began. 

Admission of liability

The hospital Trust admitted liability in this case and we secured a settlement of £70,000 to compensate Jane for her pain and suffering, loss of earnings, care and the cost of surgery. 

Thankfully, Jane has been able to have surgery to treat her condition, and the compensation can help her get her life and business back on track.

Commenting on the case, Natalie said: “As a result of the surgeons failing to consider an obvious diagnosis, Jane had to suffer terribly for over a year. We hope that this case has highlighted the need to consider post operative complications such as Jane’s at a much earlier stage, to avoid others having to go through a similar ordeal.”

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a delayed or misdiagnosed medical condition, our medical negligence solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Medical Misdiagnosis Claims page for more information.

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