£40k compensation for grade four pressure sore
The claimant was the personal representative of the estate of a deceased woman who died on May 8, 2007, aged 91 for reasons unrelated to the medical negligence claim.
On 14 September 2006, the woman had undergone surgery at a hospital of the defendant trust to repair a fractured femur. She subsequently complained of a loss of sensation in her left foot and it was noted that her left hip and left foot were bruised and that she was experiencing mobility problems.
On 21 September, thrombo-embolic-deterrent stockings were applied. A physiotherapist and a consultant visited her once and noted that she was suffering from swelling and bruising but it was decided that, due to her low blood pressure, she should remain in bed. Later that day, she was transferred to another hospital for a CT scan to be carried out. Two days later, it was found that she was completely unable to move her leg and that she was suffering neurological problems.
On 13 October, she was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation and upon admission it was noticed that she had a large black necrotic area on her left heel. The area was later identified as being a grade four pressure sore and was treated daily. On 25 November, she was discharged from hospital.
The claimant brought an action against the defendant trust on behalf of the woman’s estate, alleging that it had been negligent in (i) failing to recognise the risk of the woman developing pressure sores; and (ii) failing to implement the necessary procedures, including nurse intervention, to ensure that pressure sores did not develop.
The claimant alleged that, but for those failures, the woman would not have developed the pressure sore or, if she had developed the sore, then appropriate treatment would have limited the damage she had suffered.
Liability was admitted in part by the defendant trust which admitted that inadequate nursing care had been provided which had caused discomfort and inconvenience but that it was not possible to say with certainty that the development of a pressure sore could have been prevented with acceptable nursing care.
The claim settled out of court in the total sum of £40k in medical negligence compensation. The claimant solicitors suggested that £20k should be awarded for the pain and suffering that the woman had endured as a result of the pressure sore, and an additional £19.3k should be awarded for the care and assistance that her relatives had provided after the pressure sore developed. Other miscellaneous expenses were estimated at £700.
If you have suffered a pressure sore as a result of limited mobility in hospital and inadequate nursing care, you may be able to claim for medical negligence. Contact one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors for further advice. Click here to read about some of our hospital negligence claims.
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.
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