‘Simon’, 28

Simon experienced pain and swelling in his right testicle, however a failure to arrange emergency admission meant a delay in identifying testicular torsion.

Claire Boardman took on the case and was able to secure £25,000 to help Simon with financial losses resulting from the medical negligence.

Read Simon's story:

What happened

Simon experienced pain and swelling in his right testicle which woke him up in the night.

He completed an online GP appointment form, and his GP asked him to attend an appointment the same morning.

On examination the GP noted Simon’s right testicle was swollen and requested an urgent ultrasound scan. Simon was advised to seek medical attention if he developed worsening symptoms.

Continued pain and swelling

Two days later Simon contacted his GP to ask if the scan had been booked as he was experiencing ongoing pain.

The GP surgery said the scan was booked and that his GP would call him back later that day. Simon explained to his GP on the phone that pain and swelling had increased.

His GP discussed the concerns with the urology team and they advised them to check his urine for infection and consider antibiotics. They also booked Simon in for a CT scan for the following day.

Scan and surgery

Simon attended the scan and it showed features consistent with testicular torsion.

He underwent surgery later that day and it revealed a twisted and blue right testicle. After untwisting it, its colour improved and it started to bleed. Simon was given a course of antibiotics and discharged home later the same day.

He was reviewed by the urologists a few days later and an ultrasound scan revealed no evidence of blood flow in the right testicle, he was therefore advised that it was not viable.

He was advised that his fertility might have been reduced but production of testosterone was probably not affected. He was reassured that there was no indication for further surgery and was discharged back to his GP.

Simon has been left with a smaller right testis.

JMW’s investigation

Simon contacted JMW as he was concerned that the delay in the ultrasound scan resulted in the delay in diagnosing testicular torsion.

Associate clinical negligence solicitor, Claire Boardman took on the case and was able to establish the GP failed to arrange emergency admission to hospital for assessment by the Urology team.

Had Simon been referred he would have received an ultrasound scan which would have identified torsion and there would have been a decision to proceed to exploration and detorsion given that his initial presentation was within 16 hours of the onset of pain on balance his right testis would have remained viable.

Settlement secured

Claire was able to secure a settlement of £25,000 which takes into account the financial losses following the medical negligence and also provides an option to consider right testis prostheses insertion should he wish to have this in the future.