Our client (who is now aged 61) was unhappy with treatment which he received at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. On 10th May 2006, he had an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted at the Heart hospital in London. On 22nd May 2006, he was admitted to the RUH complaining of an acute stabbing pain in his chest. He was kept in for observation and was discharged on 23rd May 2006.
On 10th June 2006, he was readmitted to the hospital due to his ongoing chest pain. He was very ill and close to death. The CT scan showed perforation of his heart by the ICD lead, causing a left sided haemothorax. He was transferred as an emergency to the Bristol Royal Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery to remove the ICD and to repair the hole in his heart.
He was unhappy with the standard of care which he received at the RUH and felt that this injury should have been diagnosed by the hospital on 22nd May 2006, which would have reduced the pain and suffering which he suffered over this three-week period. He accepted, however, that he would still have required surgery if a diagnosis had been made straightaway.
We wrote to the hospital on his behalf and they initially disputed liability. On the threat of issuing proceedings, they reconsidered their position and agreed to compensate our client.
S. J. Edney solicitors obtained £3,000 for this client in 2009