Initial Injury and Delayed Diagnosis
In October 2017, Tom injured his hand during a rugby game and sought treatment at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral. After conducting an X-ray, the hospital informed him that he had only sustained minor tissue damage. Tom was given a splint and advised to take ibuprofen for pain relief.
Four weeks later, when Tom returned to the hospital due to worsening pain, no additional X-rays were taken. Instead, the original X-rays were simply reviewed, and he was again advised to continue with ibuprofen before being discharged.
Persistent Pain Leads to Scaphoid Fracture Diagnosis
Tom’s pain continued, leading him to return to the hospital a third time. This time, he was seen by a consultant who ordered additional X-rays. Only then was a fracture in his scaphoid identified.
In November 2018, Tom underwent surgery involving a bone graft from his hip to his scaphoid. Unfortunately, he was left with ongoing pain.
After we obtained an expert report, further surgery was recommended, and Tom subsequently underwent salvage surgery in September 2022.
Claiming Damages for Medical Negligence
As part of Tom’s claim, our team at Phoenix Legal included:
- the cost of private surgery,
- lost earnings,
- care, and
- assistance provided by his family.
Due to his wrist pain, Tom struggled to drive a manual car, so we also claimed the added expense of leasing an automatic vehicle. Medication and travel costs were factored into the claim as well.
Settlement Secured: £85,000 for Tom’s Injuries and Losses
Initially, the Defendants offered £70,000, but after further negotiations, we successfully settled the claim for £85,000. Tom was extremely happy with the outcome and felt relieved to put the matter behind him so he could move forward with his life.
Director’s Comments on the Importance of Expert Clinical Negligence Claims
Alisha Butler, Director at Phoenix Solicitors, commented:
“Tessa did a great job securing an £85,000 settlement for our client. Her tenacity and dedication to ensuring clients are fully compensated truly shine in cases like this.
When handling clinical negligence claims, it’s essential to gather medical evidence from the right experts, document all losses early, and consider future implications for the client, such as arthritis or potential future surgeries, which are crucial for achieving fair compensation.
After experiencing clinical negligence, clients may no longer trust the NHS for corrective treatment, so it’s important they can opt for private treatment, which should be factored into their compensation.
Using experienced clinical negligence solicitors maximises compensation by accounting for both past and future losses. They also have access to top experts, rehabilitation providers, and barristers, forming an invaluable team working to secure what the client deserves.”
Contact Our Clinical Negligence Team
If you or a family member has experienced clinical negligence, contact our experts to discuss your options. We run claims on a no-win, no-fee basis, with a maximum deduction of 25% from your damages for our success fee. Cases may also be covered by insurance for additional security.
0151 306 3694 injury@phoenixlegalsolicitors.co.uk