Mr Mark Bennett, 63, from Tamworth, suffered a puncture wound to his finger while gardening when a thorn pierced his glove. Concerned when the wound became infected, he attended Robert Peel Hospital’s Minor Injuries Unit on 15 September 2020, where he was assessed and prescribed antibiotics. 

However, he continued to experience worrying symptoms, including swelling, reduced mobility, and increasing pain, so he attended George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust in Nuneaton, where he was diagnosed with a routine infection and discharged without further investigation. 

Over the following days, Mr Bennett’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he returned to George Eliot Hospital multiple times for further treatment. By 18 September, his infection had worsened, and medical notes indicated the presence of pus and blackened tissue. 

By the time further tests—including an X-ray and ultrasound—were carried out, identifying a foreign body, the damage to his finger was irreversible. He was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a severe bone infection, and despite surgery, he was forced to undergo a partial amputation of his finger to stop the spread of the infection. 

Following his ordeal, he instructed Thompsons Solicitors through his union membership with Unite to investigate the care he had received. 

Medical negligence specialist Tony Mikhael led the legal case against George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, arguing that the hospital failed to recognise that a foreign body was likely retained in Mr Bennett’s finger, that vital investigations were either not performed in time or their results were not acted upon, and that the failure to refer Mr Bennett to specialist orthopaedic care led to a missed opportunity for early intervention, which could have prevented the amputation. 

The Trust admitted key failings and, in a letter to Mr Bennett’s legal team, acknowledged that staff failed to review an earlier X-ray, which could have identified the foreign body, that an ultrasound scan should have been arranged earlier, and that Mr Bennett should have been referred to orthopaedics on 21 September 2020. 

They accepted that, on the balance of probabilities, this could have led to treatment that would have prevented his amputation. 

Despite these admissions, the case took several years to resolve, which Mr Bennett says added further distress to an already devastating experience. The claim was ultimately settled out of court, with Mr Bennett receiving compensation. 

The funds, which reflect the severity of his injuries and the impact that they have had on his life, have also allowed him to pay privately for a procedure to ease his symptoms and improve his quality of life. This operation he was advised would have taken up to 75 weeks on the NHS due to waiting lists.  

He has since been able to return to his job as a tanker driver. However, the long-term consequences of the hospital’s mistakes have been significant, affecting his confidence and his ability to carry out daily tasks.  

He reflected on his experience: "What started as a tiny injury has completely changed my life. I trusted the hospital to do the right thing, but instead, I was sent away without proper checks. I kept thinking my pain was normal and that nothing could be done, but all the while, my condition was getting worse. 

"At first, I thought it was just bad luck, but now I know I was badly let down. I wouldn’t have lost part of my finger if someone had listened to me earlier. 

"I want people to know that there is help out there. If you feel something isn’t right, don’t be afraid to challenge it. Through my union membership, I was able to get expert legal support from Thompsons, and I can’t thank Tony and his team enough for standing by me throughout the case. I hope my story encourages others to seek the help they deserve." 

Tony Mikhael, medical negligence lawyer at Thompsons Solicitors, added: "Mr Bennett’s case is a clear example of how failures in care can have devastating consequences. Had the foreign body in his finger been identified and treated in time, his amputation could have been entirely avoided. 

"Patients should never feel dismissed when seeking medical attention. A&E departments must ensure thorough assessments, especially concerning infections, to prevent unnecessary harm like this.  

“We are pleased to have secured a settlement for our client that reflects the extent of his injuries and has allowed him to access the ongoing treatment he needs.”