Exposure to Latex Claim Settles for £7,500

Miss J suffered an allergic reaction after a hospitals failure to adhere to a strict latex-free code during surgery.

Nelsons represented Miss J in a claim against the Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust following her exposure to latex during a procedure which then caused a severe allergic reaction.

Miss J had a known allergy to latex that was well documented in her records and on 6 March 2009, she underwent a procedure to insert a non-latex silicone suprapubic catheter which was to take place in a latex-free theatre under general anaesthetic. When Miss J came round from the anaesthetic she was extremely itchy all over her body and developed blisters and ulcers to her fingers and inside her mouth. 
 
Enquiries were made and it was found that the catheter was not latex-free and had caused the allergic reaction. As a result, the catheter was removed and our client had to undergo a further procedure four days later to re-insert a silicone latex-free catheter. 
 
Unfortunately errors also occurred with this procedure when the correct equipment could not be located to insert the catheter properly. A few days later on 10 March, the catheter fell out leading to further procedures and additional pain and discomfort for our client.

The Trust Admitted Liability and Paid Compensation

The Trust apologised unreservedly for the distress that this episode caused our client and went on to develop a clear guidance protocol for the use of latex-free catheters.

Claire Liptrot and Baishali Majumdar were able to recover £7,500 in compensation for Miss J for the pain and suffering she endured. The client was particularly pleased with the outcome of the case as she had been turned down by several other firms prior to instructing Nelsons.

Read more about the clinical negligence cases that Nelsons handled by visiting our Personal Injury case studies page. 

For Advice on pursuing a claim for compensation please contact a member of our Clinical Negligence team.

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