Suing Hospital/Surgeon

dramaqueen1973

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NAR

Just because Registrar was off for four days, doesn't mean your deteriorating condition shouldn't have been picked up by another doctor. What if Registrar had been off for a fortnight, doesn't bear thinking about.

You certainly seem to have a case against the hospital for lack of care.

niklepic

Unfortunately as you signed a consent listing bowel perforation as a risk then i think you might find it hard to find a solicitor to take the case on. You could try contacting AvMA (Action against medical accidents) http://www.avma.org.uk/. they'll be able to give you some advice and recommend a solicitor if they feel it appropriate. From their site:

(AvMA) is the independent charity which promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident. A 'medical accident' is where avoidable harm has been caused as a result of treatment or failure to treat appropriately. AvMA believes that whatever the cause of a medical accident, the people affected deserve explanations, support, and where appropriate, compensation. Furthermore, we all deserve to know that the necessary steps will be taken to prevent similar accidents being repeated.
We provide free and confidential advice and support to people affected by medical accidents, via our helpline and casework service and can refer to our panel of specialist clinical negligence solicitors or other sources of support where appropriate. HELPLINE: 0845 123 2352 (Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm). Please see our Get Help and Advice section within this site for information about our helpline.

j.e.j.

Crikey, what a nightmare. I can only suggest contacting the Patients Association to see if they can help you with any further information. Hope you're better soon.

Fosterdog

I really hope you're feeling better soon.

For me it's not so much that they perforated the bowel, it is a risk and I've known it happen to several people, what I'm horrified by is the fact that nobody noticed what was wrong and left you to suffer. That to me is gross negligence as NAR said, what if the registrar hadn't come back when he did.

dramaqueen1973

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Gigglepig

It may take quite a lot to bring a successful case, but perhaps you can ge a free consultation with a solicitor to discuss? It may not matter that you did not get the "best" or even "good" medical care, it would have to be really sub standard.

In any case, you can complain to the hospital and ask them to investigate and change their routines. It may give you some peace of mind knowing that you've done something to help avoid this happening to someone else.

I hope that the surgery goes well, good luck.

Brighton_belle

Fosterdog wrote: »

I really hope you're feeling better soon.

For me it's not so much that they perforated the bowel, it is a risk and I've known it happen to several people, what I'm horrified by is the fact that nobody noticed what was wrong and left you to suffer. That to me is gross negligence as NAR said, what if the registrar hadn't come back when he did.

Agree with this - it was the failing to notice your typical perforated bowel symptomsthat are the most shocking.
Really sorry you are having to go through this DQ.

dramaqueen1973

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tyllwyd

My OH had a similar experience - bowel surgery which went wrong and resulted in an emergency op and a stoma. We didn't sue because in his case it would have been difficult to say whether it went wrong because of his illness, or because of negligence. But they certainly could (and should) have picked up that it hadn't worked sooner than they did.

I have loads of sympathy for you - even though he knew that there was some risk of a stoma, it still came as a massive shock to him when it actually happened, and for you it must have been even worse as it was totally unexpected. I know they quickly run through complications when they get you to sign the form, but as you say, it's not enough to prepare you.

But since then he's had a reversal, and that has worked quite well. And your advantage is that your bowel was previously healthy, so fingers crossed they should get a good result for you.

I don't normally like the idea of suing, but I think if I was in your position I would definitely consider it. Good luck with everything.

dramaqueen1973

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