We have been acting for a client (who is now aged 49) who was unhappy with medical treatment which he received at the old Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in Swindon during 1995. Briefly, he was under the care of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for cardiac-like symptoms and, during March 2008, he was advised that his doctor had identified a retained central line guide wire which was obstructing his Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). This had been left behind following an earlier procedure at the PMH during 1995. This was partly removed during June 2008 by his doctor at Oxford and he needed to undergo further operations to remove the remaining piece of wire and he also had to have some stents fitted into his IVC.
The retained wire had resulted in irreversible damage to the IVC, which would leave him with ongoing symptoms and he would need to be kept under very close surveillance by his doctor at Oxford. Fortunately, he had been able to continue working.
Although, the Hospital Trust admitted breach of duty early on in this case, there was a significant difference of opinion on causation, i.e. what damage had been caused to our client by this negligence. We had to obtain four reports from medical experts in different disciplines. Eventually, we were able to reach a settlement without the need to issue medical negligence proceedings.
S. J. Edney solicitors obtained compensation of £175,000 for this client in 2012