Failure to Provide Timely Critical Care Results in Life-Changing Injuries
Our team recently secured a £2 million settlement for a client who suffered catastrophic injuries due to negligent medical treatment at Royal Preston Hospital. The case centred on the hospital’s failure to transfer the client to Critical Care (CCU) in a timely manner, leading to severe complications, including the loss of his right leg.
The Incident
On December 16, 2017, the client arrived at A&E at Royal Preston Hospital, presenting with severe sepsis and septic shock. His deteriorating condition required urgent escalation to the Critical Care Team (CCT), where he should have received early intravenous access, arterial monitoring, and inotropic support. The hospital later admitted that the client should have been under CCT care by 11:20 am.
However, due to a critical delay, the client remained in A&E for hours, receiving fluids through a temporary peripheral cannula in his right foot instead of proper central venous access. His condition worsened significantly, and by 3:55 pm, he was finally transferred to CCU. Unfortunately, during this transition, the client suffered cardiac arrest, requiring six rounds of CPR. Emergency medications, including adrenaline and sodium bicarbonate, were administered through the cannula in his foot due to the lack of proper vascular access.
The Devestating Consequences
As a result of this delayed treatment, the client developed a vascular injury, leading
to necrosis, gangrene, and ischemia in his right foot and toes. The damage was so severe that a below-knee amputation was required.
Further failings in hospital care led to the development of sacral pressure sores, compounding his suffering. Alongside the physical consequences, the client endured severe psychological trauma and was unable to return to his career in legal and IT services, leading to permanent loss of employment in March 2019.
Legal Action and Outcome
The Defendant Trust admitted to a breach of duty by failing to transfer the client to CCU in time and acknowledged responsibility for the pressure sores. However, they denied that these failures caused the injuries.
Our expert legal team gathered compelling medical evidence, including reports from emergency medicine, rehabilitation, and nursing experts, to establish that an earlier transfer would have prevented the need for amputation. Despite continued denial of causation from the Defendant, we pressed forward, issuing proceedings in December 2021.
By July 2024, after extensive negotiations and expert reviews, the Defendant valued the claim at £1.4 million. However, during a Joint Settlement Meeting, we successfully secured a £2 million settlement—ensuring our client received the compensation he deserved.
This case highlights the importance of timely and appropriate medical intervention and demonstrates our expertise in handling complex medical negligence claims. If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence, contact our expert team today.
