Richard Malloy secures almost £1.2 million in sepsis compensation in a case against Liverpool Women’s Hospital, arising due to delayed diagnosis of a bowel obstruction during pregnancy. Richard’s client required an emergency caesarean section followed by emergency surgery to treat the bowel obstruction and overwhelming sepsis. In the weeks, months and years following surgery our client continued to suffer from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS), causing a significant impact on her work life, home life and ongoing care.
Background
Our client, who was pregnant at the time, was suffering from stomach pain and cramps. She attended Liverpool Women’s Hospital and was reassured and discharged home.
Due to continued pain, she reattended. Over an extended inpatient stay she was very distressed, vomiting and in significant pain. Again, her concerns were ignored.
She was in fact suffering from an undiagnosed blocked bowel. An emergency caesarean section was performed due to foetal distress but still treatment in respect of the bowel was delayed. As her condition had not improved, she was placed on a High Dependency ward and underwent a surgical review together with imaging. This resulted in the small bowel obstruction being detected. Emergency surgery was performed, which was successful, but unfortunately our client had by that time suffered overwhelming maternal sepsis and post-surgery continued to suffer from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post Intensive Care Syndrome causing a critical impact on her work life, home life and ongoing care.
The Hospital’s Investigation and the Claim
Our client made an initial complaint to the Hospital raising concern that complaints of pain, which were different to labour pain, were ignored. Whilst accepting better consideration of information which was available may have prompted consideration of a bowel obstruction sooner, the internal investigation concluded that an appropriate management plan had been put in place.
Upon instruction, Richard obtained evidence from independent experts in the fields of gynaecology and surgery to address liability. A Letter of Claim was served which resulted in partial admissions of liability. The Defendant however consistently failed to acknowledge or appreciate the extent and impact of the injuries.
Our client’s injuries and the impact of those injuries on her day-to-day life and her future were profound, but also very complicated especially due to the post sepsis syndrome, which is poorly understood even by medical practitioners. Evidence was obtained from specialists in Gynaecology, Colorectal Surgery, Psychiatry, Infectious Disease, Intensive Care Medicine and Occupational Therapy. Additionally, a case manager was instructed to help our client implement and engage in the vital support she needed.
Settlement
Eventually the Parties’ key experts met and thereafter the Parties engaged in negotiations in which significant concessions were made by the Defendant as to the very serious impact the delay and overwhelming sepsis had caused and would continue to cause.
A compromised settlement of almost £1.2 million was reached to compensate our client in regard to her injuries, but also to allow a long-term support and treatment package to be implemented. Post sepsis syndrome and post intensive care syndrome are recognised long-term consequences of severe sepsis, and this settlement reflects the ongoing care and treatment they require.
Richard Malloy – Clinical Negligence Solicitor
Richard is a highly experienced medical negligence solicitor based in Liverpool, with close to 20 years’ experience representing victims of medical negligence. Over the course of his career, he has recovered tens of millions of pounds in compensation for clients whose lives have been devastated by failings in medical care.
Richard is regularly instructed in catastrophic injury claims, acting for children who have suffered severe injuries at or around birth resulting in profound disabilities and complex, lifelong care needs. He also represents adults who have sustained serious injuries due to surgical errors, hospital delays, and failures to correctly interpret or act upon medical results and scans—often leaving them unable to work and requiring lifelong support.
He has successfully concluded hundreds of claims against NHS and private hospitals, as well as General Practitioners, dentists, and opticians.
In catastrophic injury cases, Richard works closely with a multidisciplinary team of experts, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, assistive technology specialists, case managers, architects, and specialist support workers. This enables him to put in place—at the earliest opportunity—comprehensive care, therapy, and accommodation packages. These arrangements are vital not only for injured clients, but also for their families, who have often assumed the role of full-time carers.
Gregory Abrams Davidson’s medical negligence team acts for clients treated at hospitals across Liverpool, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. If you or a family member were affected by a delayed diagnosis or sepsis at a hospital in the region, you can contact the team at our Liverpool office here.
