Deep vein thrombosis claim results in six figure settlement

The client fell from a scooter, fracturing his right knee. He couldn’t put weight on his right leg and was discharged from hospital. The following day, he returned to the same hospital to have his injured leg scanned because it was painful and swollen.

Before the scan, the client collapsed with dizziness and nausea. He remained at increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, but hospital staff didn’t give him anticoagulant medication to reduce that risk. Instead, they provided stronger pain relief and allowed him to go home.

The client then developed persistent cramp in his right calf, which became worse. An ultrasound scan eventually identified blood clots blocking veins in his right leg. He was admitted to hospital and started anticoagulation medication.

The client suffered extensive damage to the deep veins in his right leg. He was left with post-thrombotic syndrome, a condition caused by damage to the veins following a blood clot.

The condition causes aching and swelling in his right leg, alongside pain, cramps, heaviness and tingling. He’s also at increased risk of ulceration and leg amputation if his condition deteriorates.

The client also suffered psychological injuries. These were diagnosed as moderate depressive episode and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The client’s physical and psychological injuries continue to affect his everyday life. His symptoms disrupt his sleep and limit his ability to carry out his previous work as a landscaper.

He can no longer take part in his previous sporting activities as he did before. The injuries also affect his ability to carry out DIY and household tasks.

The impact extends to family life. His injuries limit his ability to enjoy physical play with his young son.

The team on the case secured an early admission of liability from University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. This meant the trust accepted legal responsibility for the negligence, allowing interim compensation payments to be obtained while the full impact of the client’s injuries was investigated.

The case was complicated because the client had suffered a knee fracture in the original fall, before developing DVT. The team needed to distinguish the losses caused by the original injury from those caused by the negligent care. Only losses resulting from the negligence could be included in the claim.

The team investigated the impact of both the physical and psychological injuries, considering how they affected the client at the time and how they might affect him in the future.

The hospital trust admitted liability and apologised for the delayed diagnosis and treatment of the client’s DVT. The claim concluded with a six-figure settlement, fairly compensating the client for the injuries caused by the negligence.

The team also secured interim compensation payments while the claim progressed. These provided immediate financial assistance before the final settlement was reached.

The DVT also affected the treatment planned for the client’s fractured knee. The fracture had been scheduled for surgery, but because of the DVT, doctors had to treat it conservatively using a brace.

Victoria Jones commented:

“It was a pleasure working for this client and I am very glad to have achieved a good settlement for him and his family, given the tremendous impact his injuries have had on his life.”

If you or someone close to you has suffered harm because of delayed diagnosis or treatment, it can be difficult to understand what went wrong and what to do next.

Fletchers’ specialist medical negligence team can help you understand your options and guide you through the claims process. Where possible, securing an early admission of liability can also help you access interim compensation before your claim concludes.

Contact us today to discuss your circumstances and find out how we can help.

Find out more about Fletchers’ medical negligence services.