Patient who underwent negligent hip revision surgery receives life changing compensation

Ms X was an active 63-year-old who mentored disabled university students when she was advised to undergo what she understood would be routine right hip replacement surgery. She had increasingly painful osteoarthritis and underwent the operation at Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother Hospital in 2014.

Unfortunately, she experienced a very poor outcome. She continued to suffer significant pain and stiffness and had difficulty walking long after the usual recovery period.

X-rays showed a significant difference in leg length. An MRI scan later suggested that the muscles supporting her hip had wasted away.

Ms X underwent revision surgery in 2016. During the operation, surgeons found that the hip abductor muscles were no longer attached and that the socket component of the replacement had loosened without infection.

The original surgeon had negligently detached all or virtually all of Ms X’s hip abductor muscles. These muscles help stabilise the pelvis and support walking.

The surgeon had also failed to prepare the bone properly or secure the socket component adequately. The surgery left Ms X with a significant difference in leg length and an altered hip structure.

There was also an admitted delay in identifying that the repair of the abductor muscles had failed after the original operation.

As a result, Ms X was left with a permanent and disabling hip injury, significant pain and reduced mobility.

Before her surgery, Ms X was very active and worked as a mentor for disabled university students. Following the operation, she experienced ongoing pain and stiffness that made walking difficult.

Her hip injury was permanent and disabling. She needed compensation that recognised the seriousness of her injury and provided for her future needs.

Ms X approached clinical negligence solicitors after her case had failed at another firm. With limited time remaining to pursue the claim, the case presented a significant challenge.

Sarmad Gassoub investigated the circumstances of the surgery and gathered supporting evidence from medical experts and witnesses. This evidence helped establish how the original operation had gone wrong and the subsequent delay in identifying the failed repair.

The team on the case issued court proceedings against the Trust. Judgment was entered against the Trust, allowing Ms X to pursue compensation for the lasting effects of her injury.

The case required detailed investigation into the original surgery and the failures that followed. The team on the case gathered the evidence needed to support Ms X’s claim and progressed the legal proceedings.

Despite the difficulties involved in taking over a case that had previously failed, the claim resulted in judgment against the Trust.

Ms X recovered a very substantial compensation award. It made provision for her future care, accommodation, equipment and treatment, as well as her existing and longer-term needs.

The award was intended to address the lasting consequences of her disabling hip injury and help provide for the support she would need in the future.

Ms X described her experience of working with Sarmad:

“Sarmad took on my case from another firm where it had failed. At first this looked to be an impossible task as a result of the remaining time allowed to complete. However he came up with an innovative solution which meant the case could go forward. It has been a long road where the successful outcome is due to Sarmad’s complete belief in the case from the outset where any difficulties were met head on with total commitment to their resolution. Such professionalism was also combined with care and friendly support in helping me through an occasional case related ‘meltdown’! I can’t thank him enough and would certainly recommend him”.

If you’ve experienced complications following hip replacement surgery, you may have questions about whether your treatment was appropriate and what support may be available.

Contact us today to discuss your circumstances with Fletchers’ medical negligence team.