‘Simon’, 47

Simon was admitted to hospital with a suspected stomach perforation, but there was a delay in carrying out a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis, and surgery was scheduled for the following morning. The delays in investigating and treating his condition meant his condition deteriorated and he sadly died

Madeleine Langmead, associate in JMW’s clinical negligence team, took on the case for Simon’s partner and secured £190,000 to help her with the financial consequences of losing her partner.

Delay in diagnosis

Simon started experiencing diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms so contacted his GP and was told he may have coronavirus.

His condition deteriorated so he attended his GP ,and following an examination his GP suspected that Simon had sepsis. An ambulance was arranged and took Simon to his local hospital where he was triaged as “very urgent”.

Following assessment, Simon was referred to the surgical team, and taken for a chest x-ray which was suggestive of a stomach perforation.

A CT scan of his abdomen was performed several hours after he had been admitted which confirmed the stomach perforation. Simon was advised that there were no immediate concerns about his clinical condition and that he was stable so they would operate the following morning.

Sadly, Steven’s condition continued to deteriorate, and he went into respiratory arrest, which resulted in his premature death.

JMW’s investigation

Simon’s partner contacted our specialist medical negligence team, as she was concerned that Simon had not been treated appropriately when he attended hospital and that if he had received appropriate medical care then he would not have died

Madeleine Langmead took on the case and was able establish to a number of failings and missed opportunities with Simon’s care.

Had the surgery for his stomach perforation been performed sooner it is probable he would not have died. Having to wait a significant amount of time for a CT scan to confirm a stomach perforation contributed to his condition deteriorating.

Settlement secured

Madeleine was successful in securing £190,000 for Simon’s partner, which will ease her financial burden having lost her partner.

The compensation also accounted for Simon’s pain and suffering and for his partner’s bereavement. As well as covering Simon’s funeral expenses and the financial loss that she has encountered.