Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
A man who suffered a life threatening pulmonary embolism after his GP failed to diagnose Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and instead prescribed him antibiotics for a blood infection has received compensation.
The man ended up in intensive care for three days and on blood thinning medication Warfarin for seven months after he was rushed to hospital struggling to breathe in January 2011.
A few months earlier, in November 2010, the 52-year-old had visited his GP complaining about pain in his left calf, which had become swollen.
He had previously been warned about the risk of him developing DVT after ankle reconstruction surgery a few years earlier.
His GP dismissed his concerns and said he was suffering from an inflammation of the veins in his leg and prescribed antibiotics.
He was in fact suffering from a blood clot which travelled from his left calf into his lungs causing the pulmonary embolism.
Following his admission to intensive care his GP wrote to him apologising for her failure to diagnose DVT.
He instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue clinical negligence claim
The man instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for clinical negligence which was settled out of court.
He said: “When my leg began to swell I suspected I was suffering from DVT. I had been warned that I was more susceptible to DVT after my operation on my ankle. When I told my GP she just dismissed it and prescribed me antibiotics. I trusted her diagnosis and never expected that I’d end up seriously ill suffering from a pulmonary embolism.”
Sian Thompson from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Recent research from the NHS Litigation authority shows that doctors are continuing to fail to spot deadly blood clots. An estimated 25,000 people a year are killed by blood clots and medical staff need to become more proficient at spotting the signs and treating them correctly.
“Our client has been extremely fortunate that he responded to treatment for the pulmonary embolism. He could easily have become another statistic all because his GP failed to spot the obvious signs of a blood clot.”
Concerned about negligent medical treatment or diagnoses? Talk to us for advice and support today.
Our discreet and compassionate medical negligence solicitors are experienced in the full range of medical injury claims and will work with you to establish whether you have a medical negligence compensation claim.
If you, or a loved one, think you have suffered medical negligence, such as a birth injury (for example, a cerebral palsy diagnosis following a difficult birth), misdiagnosis (such as cancer misdiagnosis), or suffered negligence during an operation contact us for advice.
If the incident happened more than three years ago, you will usually not be able to make a claim for compensation. However, exceptions do apply – such as instances where you could not have reasonably known your symptoms were caused by clinical negligence, or cases involves adults who lack legal capacity or children – so contact us for advice.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.