Fatal Claim: failure to diagnose appendicitis case settles for 5-figure sum

Stephanie Prior was instructed in a claim against Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, where our client’s mother (JC) tragically passed away in her early 50s, due to the NHS Trust’s failure to diagnose appendicitis. There was also a failure by her GP to refer her to the hospital sooner.

On 23 September 2019, JC telephoned her GP as she had a swollen stomach and was in extreme pain. She was told it was constipation and was given a prescription for suppositories. She continued to be in excruciating pain and attended her GP surgery on 30 September 2019. The GP told her to go to hospital for an emergency scan.

JC attended Luton and Dunstable Hospital the same day with her daughter. When they arrived at the scan department, JC was told that the scan was not booked on the system and she would have to wait until 3 November 2019. She was then sent away.

The next day, 1 October 2019, JC was still in agony. Her daughter took her to an emergency GP in Castle Street, Luton at 9pm that evening. The doctor informed them that JC needed to be admitted to hospital. JC attended Luton and Dunstable Hospital at around 11pm the same day.

JC was seen in the emergency department and various tests were carried out, including blood tests, x-rays and scans. The doctors thought she had a bowel obstruction.

JC was nil by mouth and on 2 October 2019, she was told that she would have to undergo an emergency operation. The doctors wanted to operate as soon as possible, but the surgery did not go ahead that evening and the family were advised it would be the following morning.

On 3 October 2019, JC consented for surgery. She was taken to theatre in the late morning, but she did not undergo surgery until 3.35pm due to her poor condition. Post-operatively, JC was taken to the ICU. She developed sepsis and kidney failure.

On 4 October 2019, JC’s condition deteriorated. She developed VT and CPR was initiated and a cardiac arrest call was made. She had five cycles of CPR. She was revived. Her kidneys started failing due to sepsis and she was unable to maintain her blood pressure. JC sadly passed away on 4 October 2019.

Prior to the incident, JC was a fit and healthy person. She was outgoing and enjoyed life. She was very active and went to the gym 3 to 4 times a week. She enjoyed sailing and diving. She worked full time as a National Accounts Manager at Bel UK Group.  She left behind three children and six grandchildren.

Expert evidence was obtained from a GP expert, a Consultant General HPB & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, a Registered General Nurse and a Consultant Microbiologist, on issues pertaining to breach of duty and causation.

Stephanie Prior successfully settled the claim for a five-figure sum without the need to issue Court proceedings, as the Defendant Trust admitted liability following the Letter of Claim.

Stephanie Prior           Solicitor for the Claimant

James Aldrige             Counsel for the Claimant

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Stephanie Prior Partner
Medical Negligence

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