Fatal Claim: failure to diagnose appendicitis case settles for 5-figure sum
19 Sep 2023 | Stephanie PriorStephanie 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
Share this article
Contact
Contact Stephanie Prior today
For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811
Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you
Osbornes has a skilled team of solicitors advising clients on a wide range of clinical negligence matters.
Hard working, approachable, good knowledge of clinical negligence and clients’ specific conditions
A joy to work with and always 100% client focused at all times.
The clinical negligence team at Osbornes is much lauded for its ability to ‘represent the diverse range of London-based clients
Stephanie has developed a particularly strong reputation for her handling of birth injury claims, as well as cases concerning surgical negligence and delays in surgery.
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
"Stephanie Prior takes on complex cases and gets excellent results. She has a background in medicine which serves her clients well and is a realistic but tough litigator."
"Stephanie Prior is hugely dedicated, adored by her clients, tenacious, efficient and extremely knowledgeable."
"Stephanie Prior is very good with troubled clients and is easily able to make them feel at ease."
"Stephanie shows sensitivity and deals with things in an understanding way."
Osbornes provides a very intimate and personal client service which is increasingly rare in this sector.
The lawyers in the team are highly experienced and will drive cases very hard on behalf of their clients.
"Stephanie Prior has a realistic attitude to the complexities of the cases. She wins the trust of her clients and goes the extra mile to ensure they get the best outcomes."
"Stephanie Prior... manages a varied caseload, including obstetric claims, child and adult brain injury cases and fatal and non-fatal spinal cord injury cases."
"Stephanie is experienced, knowledgeable of all aspects of clinical negligence work, and strategic in running cases."
"The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."
Stephanie Prior is always very professional and kind. Highly recommended.
Quite simply excellent, with a highly competent and well-rounded team. They understand complex medical litigation and have been our lifesavers, and we will always owe them our immense gratitude.
More from StephanieVIEW ALL
- 19.9.2023
NHS England Waiting Lists: PM Blames Doctors’ Strike
NHS England’s waiting list has been growing over the past decade, rising from 3 million in 2014 to 7.7 million in July...
Read more - 19.9.2023
Spinal Fracture Case Settles for 6-figure Sum
Spinal Fractures following cessation of Denosumab injection Stephanie Prior was instructed in a spinal injury claim against Mid and South...
Read more - 10.8.2023
Ambulance Delays Affecting Rapid Patient Treatment
In 2017, the Secretary of State for Health accepted the new ambulance performance standards recommended by NHS England, meaning that the 11...
Read more - 5.6.2023
Are pharmacy closures putting patients at risk?
It has been reported in the press that chemist closures will have an impact on patients living in deprived or...
Read more - 23.3.2023
Private Pregnancy Scans and Substandard Care
In the news, it has been reported that private clinics that offer pregnancy scans to women are not meeting the...
Read more - 9.2.2023
Perineal Tear case settles for 6-figure sum
Stephanie Prior recently settled a claim relating to a woman who delivered her baby after a traumatic labour. Her son...
Read more - 14.12.2022
Successful settlement for negligent care during kidney transplant...
Claimant v Royal Free London NHS Trust Osbornes have reached a settlement agreement on behalf of a Claimant who brought...
Read more - 21.9.2022
Are maternity services safe? – Part 2
In April last year I wrote a piece about government setting up a taskforce to look into why there are...
Read more - 9.8.2022
New interactive rating tool reveals NHS wait times...
Amidst record-breaking heatwaves and a lengthy patient waiting list due to COVID backlogs, it is not surprising that this summer...
Read more - 1.8.2022
Successful settlement for birth injury that led to...
Stephanie Prior’s case relating to the death of Gabriela Pintilie has been settled and approved by the High Court....
Read more - 29.6.2022
Nottingham Maternity: Donna Ockenden to Chair Independent Inquiry
An interim report on the state of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has just been released. However,...
Read more - 28.4.2022
Calls for Public Inquiry into Vaginal Mesh Surgery
A leading professor from the University of Oxford has called for a public inquiry into the use of vaginal mesh...
Read more - 6.4.2022
Ockenden ‘Maternity Scandal’ Report
Following the publication of the Ockenden Report, an independent review of maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust,...
Read more - 23.3.2022
Nerve injury following bowel surgery
Stephanie Prior was instructed in a claim against Luton & Dunstable University Hospital where our client sustained an injury to...
Read more - 23.2.2022
Record high waiting lists put cancer patient lives...
In early January 2022 there were nearly six million people in England waiting for routine operations and treatment: a record high....
Read more - 23.2.2022
Women from ethnic minorities experience worse maternity care
It has been reported today that the government has set up a new task force to look into why there...
Read more - 2.2.2022
Child Left with Brain Injuries at Birth
Osbornes Law specialises in assisting families who have experienced birth injuries. We have represented families who have faced the loss...
Read more - 31.1.2022
Recent fatal medical negligence cases
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a fatality due to inadequate medical care. Our specialist team is...
Read more - 31.1.2022
Recent Brain Injury Client Stories
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a brain injury as a result of medical negligence. Our specialist...
Read more - 18.1.2022
Basildon hospital maternity unit still needs improvements
A Channel 4 News investigation into the maternity scandal at Basildon Hospital, which is part of the Mid & South Essex...
Read more - 4.1.2022
Five-figure Compensation for Cardiac Negligence
In this cardiac negligence claim, we were instructed by a 42-year-old Polish man who had attended the Accident and Emergency...
Read more - 4.1.2022
6 Figure Settlement For Heart Attack Claim
In this cardiac claim, we were instructed by the widow of a 55-year-old man, who had complained of chest pain...
Read more - 2.1.2022
Osbornes Law Act in Stillbirth Negligence Case
Osbornes Law specialises in assisting families who have experienced birth injuries. We have represented families who have faced the loss...
Read more - 1.12.2021
Maternity claim for fatality following caesarean section
Stephanie Prior is acting for a gentleman whose wife died after she had a caesarean section. The claim is on...
Read more