A client of ours (aged 42) was unhappy with treatment which he received at the Royal United Hospital in Bath during 2009 and 2012. His complaint can be summarised as follows:

  • Firstly, during a routine varicose vein surgery in February 2009, adequate precautions were not taken to prevent him from later developing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and a pulmonary embolus (PE).
  • Secondly, on his further admission during 2012 with back and leg pain following an accident at work, once again, adequate precautions to counter deep venous thrombosis were not taken and he developed a second DVT.

He now suffers from a post-thrombotic syndrome of the left leg characterised by swelling, secondary varicose veins and well-established skin changes of chronic venous insufficiency. He is at significantly greater risk of further DVTs (and PEs). He will also need to wear knee-length stockings every day. He has had to stop work as a lorry driver. He will find it difficult to find sedentary office-type work.

This was a complicated case to value as our client also had an unrelated serious back problem caused by his accident at work, which also prevented him from returning to work. A letter of claim was submitted to the Hospital Trust and liability was disputed. Proceedings had to be issued and, in a Defence filed by their solicitors, they disputed liability for the alleged 2009 negligence but accepted liability for the 2012 negligence.

Our client was understandably anxious to resolve this case and,after discussions with the Hospital Trust’s solicitors, we were able to agree upon a settlement figure which he was happy with.

S. J. Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £50,000 for this client during 2014