Anaesthetic Negligence Claims

Rebecca Callard, Associate in the Clinical Negligence Team, acted for D, a male client, who suffered injury to his right arm as a result of alleged negligence during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder) surgery. In the operating theatre, our client’s left arm was placed on a padded arm board and his right arm placed onto a white metal plate. The positioning of his right arm was uncomfortable and awkward with his right elbow higher than his shoulder. A general anaesthetic was administered and surgery was carried out.  Immediately after the surgery, our client experienced numbness in his right hand and elbow and pins and needles in the fingers of his right hand. He was discharged home but his symptoms continued. He was subsequently diagnosed with an ulnar nerve lesion in his right arm, and underwent two decompression operations in an attempt to improve his symptoms.  Our client was left with permanent numbness in his right hand and elbow and pins and needles in the fingers of his right hand. He was unable to carry out everyday tasks using his right hand and relied on his wife for assistance. He had to adapt to life using his left hand to carry out certain tasks.

The Clinical Negligence Team brought a case against the Defendant hospital alleging that it negligently positioned our client’s right arm for the duration of the surgery causing damage to his ulnar nerve.  The Defendant denied negligence but we achieved compensation for our client of £50,000 for his injuries despite this denial.

Hannah Blackwell, a Solicitor in the Clinical Negligence Team, acted for D, a female client, who suffered anaesthetic awareness during bariatric (weight loss) surgery.   Unfortunately, the anaesthetic was not administered correctly and D experienced awareness.  As a result she became stressed, went into atrial fibrillation and her surgery was cancelled and she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.  While in the Intensive Care Unit D recalled some awareness during the procedure and was subsequently reviewed by a cardiologist who was able to reassure her that there had been no lasting damage to her heart.

The Clinical Negligence Team acted for D, and alleged that the Defendant hospital was negligent as they failed to administer anaesthetic correctly at the time of the bariatric surgery which resulted in D suffering from a psychiatric injury.  The hospital admitted liability for D’s injuries and D received compensation of £15,000 for her pain and suffering as well as for future psychiatric treatment.