Lavelle Partners secure settlement for a plaintiff who was injured through surgical negligence

In September 2020, the plaintiff underwent a laparoscopic (keyhole) operation for removal of the adrenal gland.

During the operation the plaintiff lost a large amount of blood, described as a life-threatening haemorrhage, that led to conversion to an open operation. Instead of having the adrenal gland removed, the plaintiff had a large part of the pancreas removed.

Subsequently the patient required a transfer to another hospital, under the care of another surgeon who undertook an open bilateral adrenalectomy and repair of the injured pancreas.

The plaintiff instructed Lavelle Partners to investigate the circumstances of the case and we obtained expert evidence from a consultant surgeon in the UK. Our expert believed the operation was performed in such a way that it led to a failure to remove the organ. He further opined that having half of the plaintiff’s pancreas removed instead of the adrenal gland cannot be accepted as a possible or reasonable risk associated with the planned operation and so the surgeon was deemed to have been negligent.

Proceedings were issued on behalf of the plaintiff and the case was successfully settled for a significant sum plus the plaintiff’s costs in advance of the trial date.