The Plaintiff in this matter was a man who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and remained there for a period of 5 days before being transferred to the High Dependency Ward.
On his admission to the ward, he complained of pain and discomfort in his buttocks. Despite his complaints, an infection in his buttock was not identified or treated for a period of 5 days and deteriorated so badly that by the time he was transferred to the High Dependency Unit, he had a major Grade 4 pressure ulcer in his sacral region.
Resulting from the development of this ulcer, he needed three operations under general anaesthetic to remove the necrotic tissue. Our client had previously lost his legs and the pressure ulcer made it very difficult to walk on his prosthetic limbs. His walking rehabilitation had been compromised due to the presence of extensive and permanent surgical scarring on his sacrum and buttocks. Our client also developed severe depression following his experience.
Lavelle Partners were instructed to investigate his circumstances and we obtained expert evidence from a UK-based expert in nursing. The expert advised that the pressure ulcer developed and deteriorated as a result of shortfalls in nursing care in the ward.
Proceedings were issued against the hospital and the case was successfully settled for a significant sum plus costs in advance of the trial date.
For more information, please contact Avril Scally, Partner and Head of the Medical Negligence Department or Nicholas Moore, Medical Negligence Solicitor.
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