The woman, who does not wish to be named, underwent a caesarean section at a hospital in the North East in 2018 to deliver twins. In the days that followed, she developed severe abdominal pain and swelling, forcing her to return to the hospital for emergency care.

Despite clear warning signs shown on multiple scans and X-rays and significantly raised inflammatory markers indicating serious complications, her symptoms were dismissed as routine post-surgical effects. An independent medical expert later described her condition as an “intra-abdominal catastrophe”, yet she was not given the urgent treatment she required.

Her condition continued to deteriorate, but the severity of the situation remained unrecognised. By the time action was finally taken several days later, she had required multiple invasive surgeries and endured a prolonged hospital stay.

She went on to suffer severe complications, which independent medical experts believed could have been avoided had the radiological imaging been properly interpreted and acted upon. The consequences of these failings have been long-lasting, affecting her physical and mental well-being.

Following her ordeal, the woman instructed medical law experts at Thompsons Solicitors to investigate the care she had received and to bring a claim for compensation against the Trust.

Her legal team argued that if the Trust had correctly reported the multiple radiological imaging and recognised the significance of her worsening symptoms, she would have undergone surgery earlier - preventing the severe complications she later suffered, including respiratory failure, sepsis, and other conditions that increase her risk of future complications.

They also alleged that the initial corrective procedure itself was incorrect, further contributing to her injuries.

The Trust admitted failings in her care and issued an apology within months, acknowledging that earlier intervention would have altered the course of her treatment.

However, full admissions were not made, with the Trust maintaining that its breach of duty did not cause all of the injuries she sustained. This has left the patient concerned that lessons may not be fully learned without full accountability.

Additionally, despite the Trust’s early acknowledgement of fault, its refusal to accept full causation forced the case through additional legal steps, including requiring the woman to attend multiple medical expert assessments for the defendant.

As a result, the case has taken six years to resolve, adding further emotional and physical strain to an already devastating experience.

She has now received an out-of-court settlement that reflects the severity of her injuries and, crucially, will help fund ongoing care and treatment costs.

Reflecting on her experience, the woman said, "It has been challenging to come to terms with what happened and its effect on my life and my family.

“I still struggle with what I went through, and the six-year wait for the case to conclude has only made it worse. I trusted that my concerns would be taken seriously, but instead, I was left in increasing pain while my condition worsened. It is heartbreaking to think that no one listened until it was too late.

“No one should have to go through what I did. I hope changes will be made to prevent this from happening to anyone else.”

Victoria Clark, a medical negligence lawyer at Thompsons Solicitors in Newcastle, commented:

"This case highlights the devastating impact that delays in diagnosis and treatment can have on patients. The failure to act on clear clinical warning signs must not be repeated, and healthcare providers must take proactive steps to improve radiology and patient safety.

“While no amount of compensation can undo the suffering endured, it is vital that lessons are learned to ensure no other woman faces the same ordeal."

Commenting on the legal support she received, the woman added:

"Nothing can change what happened to me, but I am very grateful for the support I received from my legal team throughout my ordeal.

“Victoria provided a friendly yet professional service from beginning to end. I was regularly updated, and although the closing stages of the case were upsetting and stressful, Victoria and her team, along with my barrister, handled everything with compassion.

“I truly hope no one ends up in the same situation I was in, but if they do, I would have no hesitation in recommending Thompsons.”