Case Study: CSF Leak Following Rhinoplasty
Compensation: £32.500
Charles, 32 years old, Nuneaton
With JMW's assistance, a man has successfully acquired £32,500 in compensation after negligence during surgery caused numerous, avoidable complications.
Charles had a history of a significant nasal deformity since he was hit in the face during a rugby match. He was referred to Hospital by his GP. He was described as having a prominent nasal lump and flat nose below that. Charles was listed for removal of the nasal lump (rhinoplasty) and a cartilage graft from his chest.
Negligence during surgery
During the course of the rhinoplasty the osteotome (an instrument used for cutting or preparing bone) used by the Plastic Surgeon slipped and pushed through the floor of the anterior cranial fossa (in other words fractured his skull). As a result Charles developed CSF rhinorrhoea (drainage of cerebrospinal fluid through the nose). He was referred to a neurosurgeon and underwent a craniotomy and repair of the dura defect.
The operation was a success however there was still a numb patch next to the scar which was unavoidable due to the damage of sensory nerves in the area.
Heavy-handed approach and it's consequences
An independent medical expert felt that penetration of an instrument into the anterior skull base floor was an unacceptable complication reflecting a heavy-handed approach on the part of the operator.
Charles has been left with a permanent craniotomy scar. This will become increasingly conspicuous as Charles loses his hair.
Charles also experienced 3 weeks impairment of smell and taste following the procedure, and headaches for 2 to 3 months. He continues to experience intermittent headaches when he sneezes.
Long-term risks
In the long term, Charles has a 1% annual risk of developing epilepsy, a 1% per annum risk of a further CSF leak, and a 1% risk of developing meningitis. These risks will return to baseline levels after a period of 10 years.
Settlement
The case was settled and JMW Solicitors obtained £32,500 compensation for Charles.
Have you suffered in a similar way to Charles?
For further information on how to make claims for negligence of this type, simply fill in our online enquiry form or call us for free on 0800 054 6512. We are here to answer any questions you have, so do not hesitate to get in touch.
< Back to main brain injury negligence page
More Case Studies
When Phil was 49 years old he was referred to North Manchester General Hospital by his GP for investigation into problems he was having with deafness and balance.
Michelle was left with a permanent brain injury after she suffered a major stroke that her family believe could have been prevented with better care. JMW Solicitors obtained a six-figure compensation settlement.
Ann-Marie experienced severe headaches which were misdiagnosed at A&E. JMW won £150,000 for her family.
Colin was taken to his local hospital when he began to experience a sudden severe pain in the head, immediately followed by vomiting. He was transferred straight away to a larger centre for a CT scan, as a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) was suspected.
Claire was born with a congenital heart abnormality in which the left coronary artery originated from the pulmonary artery rather than the aorta - in other words on the wrong side of the heart. When Claire was nearly one year old she underwent corrective open heart surgery.
Glenda presented at A&E with head and neck pain, which she had suffered from for a couple of hours. She had taken two Paracetemol but with no relief. She felt nauseous but had not vomited.
Charles had a history of a significant nasal deformity since he was hit in the face during a rugby match. He was referred to Hospital by his GP.
Violet won £400,000 in compensation after she was left with severe brain damage when doctors failed to diagnose her sub-arachnoid haemorrhage.
Claire had a normal pregnancy until 37 weeks when it was noted that she had raised blood pressure and a trace of protein in her urine. When Claire was 4 days over due, she was seen by a midwife at home who noted that her blood pressure was still high.
John underwent an operation to remove metalwork from his lumbar spine that had been inserted at a previous operation. At the time is used a wheelchair because of chronic back problems.
'Peter' suffered a major stroke after being wrongly send home from hospital without treatment when he developed worrying warning signs. He was left permanently disabled but medical negligence specialists ar JMW secured him £1 million in compensation to help him cope with the financial consequences.
'Andrew' is severely physically and mentally disabled after a delay in diagnosis meant a serious thyroid condition went diagnosed, leading to his collapse and a permanent brain injury. JMW's Sally Leonards secured Andrew £3.9 million in compensation to provide the specialist care he requires.
Shauna was left with severe cerebral palsy and requires 24-hour care for the rest of her life after maternity failures. Our specialist cerebral palsy team secured her compensation totalling £10 million to provide her with financial security.
'Bobby' was left with severe cerebral palsy and very significant disabilities after meningitis failures when he was a baby led to permanent brain damage. Bobby is not expected to live beyond his teens but a JMW medical negligence partner secured a £4.6 million care package that will enable him to have as comfortable a life as possible.
Luke suffered catastrophic brain damage due to appalling failures by midwives. He was left with severe cerebral palsy and will require 24-hour care for the rest of his life. The brain injury specialists at JMW obtained over £7 million in compensation to cover the cost of this.
A partner in the JMW medical negligence team and a specialist in cerebral palsy cases, obtained £13 million in compensation for two siblings who were tragically both brain damaged by hospital errors.
Claire had a normal pregnancy until 37 weeks when it was noted that she had raised blood pressure and a trace of protein in her urine. When Claire was 4 days over due, she was seen by a midwife at home who noted that her blood pressure was still high.
