Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors recover damages for injuries arising as a result of a hospital’s negligence resulting in fall

RC  v Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors recover damages for injuries arising as a result of a hospital’s negligence resulting in fall. The fall caused a femur fracture and exacerbation of a kidney condition resulting in the recommencement of dialysis.

Facts of the case

Our Client suffered from a multitude of co-morbidities.  These included chronic kidney disease stage 4, type two diabetes mellitus, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. 

He was experiencing severe pain in both knees and was placed under the care of a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. Despite the risks of surgery, it was agreed that he would undergo a left total knee replacement.

The knee replacement surgery was complicated by renal failure and he was subsequently readmitted to the hospital due to being unwell and jaundiced with shortness of breath. The renal failure was managed conservatively and he was commenced on dialysis. He was treated with amoxicillin for a chest infection and it was recorded that he had developed right basal pneumonia. 

Three months following his left total knee replacement, he was on dialysis 2 hours per day but was pleased with the result of the left knee surgery. A short time later he was told he could cease dialysis and he was discharged from the dialysis clinic.

The following year he had a kidney consultation at the Royal Hospital.  The Consultant requested a chest x-ray due to a suspected chest infection.

Our Client’s mobility remained poor following his recent left knee replacement and he was brought to the x-ray department by wheelchair.   He was left in the wheelchair by the entrance to the radiology room. Rather than use his wheelchair/walking stick as support he was instead mobilised by 2 assistants/students who stood at either side of him. As he neared the bed he was dropped and fell to the floor in agony.

As a consequence of the fall, our client sustained a peri-prosthetic fracture of the left distal femur and attended theatre for an open reduction of the fracture of bone and fixation. Following the orthopaedic procedure, he was moved to an intensive care unit and spent approximately 10 weeks as an inpatient undergoing physiotherapy and rehabilitation.    During this time, he acquired pneumonia which was treated with antibiotics.  He was also required to recommence dialysis.

Upon discharge, dialysis continued which had a devastating impact on his day to day life.

GAD investigated the matter and a Letter of Claim was sent to the Trust alleging, in summary, that taking into account our client’s poor mobility, general poor health and high BMI that there had been inadequate assessment of the risks and a failure to ensure a safe transfer.

GAD additionally obtained independent medical opinion from a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Consultant Nephrologist in order to fully investigate the short term and long term impact of the femur fracture and the exacerbation of our client’s pre-existing kidney condition resulting in dialysis.

Thereafter a Schedule of Loss was drafted and served upon the Defendant. Following negotiation between the Parties, a settlement was reached prior to the commencement of Court Proceedings.

Gregory Abrams Davidson Solicitors specialise in obtaining compensation for clients who have sustained injuries as a result of Medical Negligence. We deal with claims for compensation against hospitals (both NHS and Private), dentists, general practitioners, pharmacists and opticians. We have offices in Liverpool City Centre, Allerton and Golders Green, London.We offer a free initial case assessment and No Win No Fee Funding is available. Please contact a member of our Medical Negligence new enquiries team on 0151 733 3353, email [email protected].