Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Compensation Claims

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the deeper blood vessels, usually in the lower leg but occasionally in other parts of the body. It can have serious consequences if it is not diagnosed or treated quickly and effectively, as it can lead to pulmonary embolism, cause severe physical pain or mean an above-knee amputation is needed.

If you or a loved one have been affected by DVT that was caused or worsened by medical negligence, JMW Solicitors can help. Our experienced legal specialists are here to help you make a claim for compensation and get the support you need for your long-term recovery. Whatever the outcome of your DVT, a compensation claim could help pay for medical bills, cover financial losses due to time taken off work, and acknowledge the avoidable pain and suffering you experienced.

Speak to our knowledgeable team today to find out how we can help you to secure compensation and guide you at every step of the claims process. Contact JMW by calling 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in touch at a time that is convenient for you. We are able to provide no win, no fee legal representation.

How JMW Can Help 

You may be able to make a compensation claim if you can show that you received substandard care that caused, or worsened, deep vein thrombosis and that you experienced harm as a result. There are significant risks with untreated DVT, and there are several steps doctors must take to assess risk and provide treatment.

Examples of negligence in this area can include cases where a risk assessment has not been carried out to evaluate your risk of developing the condition, or if preventative measures are not taken to ensure a person deemed at high risk does not develop DVT. Similarly, if you presented with symptoms and were not prescribed anticoagulant medication, this may represent negligence.

We must prove that the injury was caused as a result of this substandard care, which may mean showing that pain was caused by the DVT, or that a pulmonary embolism developed as a result of a delay in diagnosis of DVT. With help from the experienced solicitors in the clinical negligence team at JMW, you will be well-placed to prove your case and to secure the compensation you deserve.

JMW is one of the most experienced and respected clinical negligence solicitors in the UK. Headed by leading solicitor Eddie Jones, the team includes members of the Law Society’s specialist panel of clinical negligence solicitors.

We are able to deal with many claims on a no win, no fee basis. Speak to us today to find out how our expertise can help give you the very best chance of being successful with your DVT claim.

Meet Our Team of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Claim Experts

We act for people harmed by negligent DVT care by investigating delays, missed risks, or poor treatment and pursuing no‑win, no‑fee compensation to support their recovery.

Case Studies

What Is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

DVT is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg. In some cases, a DVT can form in the arm, or deep veins of the pelvis. One of the main predisposing factors for DVT is immobility (hence the association with long-haul flights), but trauma to the leg veins following a fracture or surgery and clotting abnormalities of the blood can also lead to the development of clots (thrombi).

How Can Negligent Treatment Affect a DVT Blood Clot?

Compensation claims for DVT rely on proving that you were the subject of medical negligence. Claims are only possible if you can show that a doctor, nurse or other medical professional failed to offer the expected standard of treatment, prescribe blood-thinning medication or diagnose DVT or other problems with blood flow. However, there are several ways that failings and poor-quality care can represent negligence and result in avoidable harm.

• Failure to diagnose: If warning signs are present but not investigated with appropriate tests such as an ultrasound or D-dimer test, this may represent negligence. Warning signs include leg pain, swelling, redness, immobility or other risk factors (such as recent surgery, pregnancy, or family history).
• Failure to prevent: Patients at known risk, such as those undergoing surgery or being immobile in hospital, should be given preventative treatment (anticoagulants, compression stockings, or early mobilisation). If this is overlooked and a DVT develops, it may be considered negligence.
• Mismanagement of treatment: Once diagnosed, DVT usually requires anticoagulant therapy. Prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, or not monitoring properly can expose patients to complications.
• Delayed referral or follow-up: If a GP or hospital doctor fails to refer a patient promptly to specialist care or arrange appropriate monitoring, this can result in avoidable progression.

Speak to the team at JMW for advice on whether you are entitled to make a medical negligence claim. Compensation will take into account the full extent of any pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by DVT progressing, and we can advise you on your likelihood of making a successful claim.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a DVT Claim?

Compensation for a DVT claim depends on the specifics of your case, and is calculated according to the specific circumstances of the negligence and harm you experienced. Damages are broken down into two separate components, with general damages assigned for pain and suffering, and special damages for financial losses related to your injuries.

General damages are based on the Judicial College Guidelines, which establish parameters for compensation for specific types of injuries. Special damages compensate you for specific financial losses, including:

• Lost earnings, if you took time off work during your recovery
• Travel expenses to and from medical appointments
• Private medical treatment
• Care, whether provided by friends and family or professional carers
• Any medical devices or necessary adjustments to your home to accommodate a long-term disability

JMW typically makes DVT compensation claims on a no win, no fee basis. When you call us, we will discuss your financial options to make sure you understand what to expect. A no win, no fee agreement means that if your case is unsuccessful, you do not need to pay any fees for our legal services. This enables you to pursue the maximum compensation possible based on your injuries and losses without any financial risk.

Q

What are the risk factors for DVT?

A

There are many risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and these can be divided into strong, moderate and weak.

Strong risk factors:

• Fracture of hip or leg
• Hip or knee replacement
• Major general surgery
• Major trauma
• Spinal cord injury

Moderate risk factors:

• Previous DVT
• Clotting disorders of the blood
• Malignancy
• Pregnancy
• Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy
• Heart or respiratory failure
• Intravenous drug abuse

Weak risk factors:

• Increasing age
• Staying in bed for longer than three days
• Obesity
• Prolonged car or plane travel
• Varicose veins
• Laparoscopic surgery

If you present with the symptoms of a DVT and any of the above risk factors are present, doctors should take extra care to check for DVT or pulmonary embolism. Compensation may be available for any physical and psychological harm a medical professional caused by failing to make the correct medical assessment of your symptoms.

Q

What are the symptoms of DVT?

A

In some cases of DVT, there may be very few, if any, symptoms. However, when symptoms do show, they can include:

• Pain and swelling in the leg, often in the calf
• The skin feeling warmer where the clot has formed
• The skin becoming red below the back of the knee
• Aching in the affected area

Even if your symptoms are minimal, doctors should refer you for further tests to determine the appropriate treatment, especially if you are at particular risk from internal blood clots. Failing to carry out these tests or prescribe blood thinners can be considered medical negligence that causes unnecessary harm. In these cases, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Q

How is DVT diagnosed?

A

If you are suspected of having DVT it is common for your GP to recommend a specialised blood test called a D-dimer test. This test identifies pieces of blood clots that are loose in your bloodstream after breaking down.

If you have a large number of pieces of blood clot in your bloodstream, this is a sign that a DVT is present in the vein. However, the reliability of this test has been called into question because there is always the possibility of blood clot fragments increasing in number either following an injury, after an operation or during pregnancy. Often an ultrasound scan or similar tests will be required to confirm DVT.

Q

What complications can arise from DVT?

A

Serious and sometimes life-threatening complications can arise if DVT is misdiagnosed or if the recommended medical treatment is not provided quickly enough. These include:

• Pulmonary embolism, where the clot travels to the lungs, which can be fatal
• Post-thrombotic syndrome
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Amputation
• Death

If a late diagnosis means you or a loved one experienced any of these outcomes, you will usually be entitled to make a compensation claim as a result. Contact JMW to talk about our legal services for those who have experienced negligence in diagnosing or treating DVT.

Q

What is a pulmonary embolism?

A

Pulmonary embolism is a very serious condition that can develop if DVT is not treated correctly. If you suffer from a pulmonary embolism, you may experience breathlessness, pain in the chest while breathing, or even a sudden collapse.

If you or someone you know shows signs of pulmonary embolism, you should seek medical attention immediately.