Clinical negligence caused by an administrative error
04 | 08 | 11
Hannah Williams from the
Clinical Negligence team at top UK 100 law firm Hugh James is
making progress on a unique case of clinical negligence caused by
an administrative error. The claimant, a 41 year old man
living in Cardiff was advised that he needed spinal surgery (an
L5/S1 discectomy) in April 2007. At the appointment he was told to
telephone the hospital to confirm he wanted the procedure and
request to be placed on the waiting list, which he did that same
day. In November 2007, 5 months after the recommended date for
surgery the claimants GP contacted the hospital and discovered that
he was yet to be placed on the waiting list. The procedure finally
took place in May 2008 but was unsuccessful and as a result the
claimant now has to use a wheelchair and suffers from chronic
pain.
In a recent admission by
the hospital it was agreed that the delay should not have occurred
and had surgery taken place earlier the claimant would not be
confined to a wheelchair. The claim is ongoing with further
evidence being gathered to determine how much care the claimant
requires, the suitability of his accommodation, the need for
specialist equipment and whether any private medical treatment
will assist him. It is anticipated that the damages will be
significant.