A Clinical Negligence Claim was made when a pregnant woman developed pressure sores during labour.
Nelsons represented Mrs W in a claim against United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. In 2007 Mrs W was admitted to hospital in labour and was given an epidural anaesthetic for pain relief. This was effective and she lost all pain and sensation from the waist downwards so that she was unable to move her legs. She was on an ordinary mattress and stayed in the same position for about nine hours before having a caesarean section.
During the operation it was noted that Mrs W had developed a pressure sore on her left buttock with a smaller area of damage to her right buttock. This caused Mrs W a lot of pain and discomfort as she had to cope with a new born baby and recover from a caesarean section at the same time.
The pressure sores took three months to heal and have left Mrs W with:
- Scarring, the largest area measuring 8 x 5cm
- Permanent pressure damage causing deep tenderness
- Difficulty sitting on hard surfaces
- Embarrassment about her scars.
An expert plastic surgeon has advised against any form of scar revision surgery.
Compensation was Awarded for Clinical Negligence
The Hospital Trust admitted liability, in that the midwife caring for Mrs W in labour had failed to follow correct procedures. In particular there was a failure to change Mrs W’s position during her labour causing pressure sores to develop. The Hospital Trust accepted responsibility for the permanent injury caused to Mrs W and Claire Liptrot was able to settle the claim for a five figure sum.
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.
