Bowel problems lead to medical negligence claim
Long-term bowel problems meant that Catherine was faced with a complex operation, but she was not given all the information she needed to make a proper choice. That operation led to seven months of procedures and further surgery, leaving her with an ileostomy bag, scarring, persistent pain and anxiety.
She had suffered from sepsis and incontinence, and her hopes of having another child had been destroyed.
12 years of bowel problems
Over a period of 12 years, Catherine suffered from bowel problems, receiving laxative treatment, having a section of her bowel removed and suffering from suspected hernias. Finally, she was offered several options to help to solve those problems and underwent a J-pouch operation to help her bowel to function.
Within a week she had suffered from serious incontinence and sepsis, and underwent further surgery, which left her with an ileostomy bag. Two months later, another procedure was needed to deal with an abscess, and then three months later she had to have more radical surgery which meant her ileostomy bag would remain permanent.
Expert help after medical negligence
Catherine came to Ally Taft at Medical Accident Group for advice, having suffered for so long.. Ally was able to help her to find answers and support her through a difficult process.
After Ally took up her case, the hospital admitted that the process of consent to the J-pouch operation had been faulty and that she should been offered other alternatives, including conservative treatment. They admitted that she ended up with an ileostomy five years earlier as a result. Ally argued that she should never have ended up with an ileostomy and suffered as she did.
Ally said: “There were other options open to her which would have avoided that surgery; she might have had to have an operation later, but it would not have been so devastating, and she would not have suffered the complications she had to endure.
“I am glad that I was able to help her – no-one wants to have to take this kind of action, but when there are failures like this, patients suffer and they should be able to seek redress and find answers.”
Catherine was awarded £525,000 in compensation. She said to Ally afterwards: “I wish I could express how grateful I am to you all. The difference this will make to my life is huge, I won’t have to worry about so many things now and can get treatments I need to improve my quality of life and the help I need. You have been truly amazing from start to finish. I will be forever in your debt.”
If you have been the victim of medical negligence, the team at Medical Accident Group will provide support and help as well as giving expert advice so that you are not in this alone. Call us on 0800 050 1668 or fill in the form below.