Samantha Sims obtained £145,000 for Mr ET who suffered pressure sores over his right and left buttock in 2018. These were caused by the hospital’s myriad of negligent failures to manage his pressure sore risk. It is clear from the records that the Claimant was left stationary throughout most of the day.
The Claimant was discharged home with a plan for follow-up by the District Nurses. When they attended the following day, they noted that the wounds were bleeding. A referral was made to a Tissue Viability Nurse. The out of hours GP recorded that the Claimant had the worst pressure sore the doctor had ever seen. He was readmitted to hospital. The left buttock was noted to be necrotic, measuring 17cm by 14cm. The left had a moisture lesion. They were likely grade 4 sores by this juncture, but were deemed ungradable because of the level of damage done.
The Claimant was discharged home in February 2019. The wound was noted to be infected on in April 2019. He was admitted again with sepsis secondary to the infected ulcer. An MRI scan confirmed osteomyelitis to the fourth sacral segment and coccyx. The surgical team recommended debridement under anaesthetic, but the anaesthetist disagreed. Accordingly, in April 2019, the surgeons cleared the necrotic and devitalised tissue at the bedside and applied standard dressings.
The Claimant, unfortunately, went on to develop pneumonia and delirium. This was a result of the index negligence. He was discharged home in June 2019.
The Claimant was admitted again between July and August 2019 with probable sepsis. In October 2019, he was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile. He had an admission between December 2019 and February 2020 with bloody stools. These admissions were also attributable to, or materially caused by, the Defendant’s negligence.
The Claimant’s wound has now closed. The scar tissue will take up to two years to consolidate and will always remain much more prone to injury. The Claimant has a high risk of recurrence unless provided with a long run package of intervention and equipment.
The Claimant’s mobility remains compromised. He has suffered many years of being bed bound at a vulnerable stage in life. He is deconditioned. He will sadly never return to baseline. His mobility and quality of life will be permanently worse as a result of the index negligence.
After negotiations, the Claimant’s case settled for £145,000 which included pain and suffering, past care and future losses including a tissue viability nurse, district nursing, professional care, aids and equipment, skin care, seating assessment, podiatry, physiotherapy, gastroenterology, dietician and a case manager. This outcome is considerably higher than in many similar cases.
