£215,000 Settlement Following Delayed Diagnosis of Endocarditis

Samantha Sims obtained £215,000 for the Widow and Estate of Mr M who sadly died due to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of endocarditis in 2021.

The Deceased had a complex cardiac history including a prosthetic aortic valve and the use of Warfarin. He attended a Nurse Practitioner by telephone with symptoms of worsening sinus/cough problems, intermittent high temperature, muscle aches and blood in his sputum. He was prescribed with antibiotics.

Allegations of Medical Negligence

It was alleged that there was a failure to recognise that the Deceased was high-risk for cardiac pathology, a failure to recognise the potential serious diagnoses associated with blood-stained mucus, a failure to send the Deceased to hospital, or, alternatively, a failure to arrange a face-to-face appointment where he would have been referred to hospital.

How Earlier Diagnosis and Treatment Could Have Changed the Outcome

It was alleged that the onset of the prosthetic valve infective endocarditis occurred before the Deceased’s first presentation to the Defendant and, had he been sent to the Emergency Department earlier, it would have been noted that he had a prosthetic heart valve; bloods would have been taken with the results finding deranged markers for infection; the Deceased would have been admitted and/or referred for medical assessment and opinion; differential diagnoses would have included an infective process, including endocarditis; investigations would have included the Deceased having bloods taken for culture to look for infection, and undergoing echocardiogram; within 24 hours of bloods being taken, blood cultures would have been positive for infection and in the presence of a history of cardiac valve replacement, the working diagnosis would have been endocarditis.

Further or alternatively, an echocardiogram would have been performed and the results would have abnormal and would have indicated a diagnosis of endocarditis; even if the Deceased had been sent home with advice to return if symptoms worsened, or allowed home after bloods had been taken for culture, or with a plan for echocardiogram the following day or subsequently, the diagnosis of endocarditis would still have been reached within a few days the attendance; he would have been treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy, which would have sterilised the infection; and he is unlikely to have required re-do valve replacement surgery, but if this was required it would have taken place within approximately two weeks and it would have been successful.

The Deterioration in Mr M’s Condition

Sadly, infective endocarditis continued to evolve after the telephone attendance with the Nurse Practitioner, despite temporary partial suppression of infection by oral antibiotics; the infection damaged the prosthetic valve and led to worsening cardiac failure and ultimately dehiscence of the valve; the Deceased attended hospital a few days alter and thereafter suffered cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated, but he ultimately died of cardiogenic shock.

The Outcome: £215,000 Settlement

The Defendant denied liability throughout, and the case was issued at Court. After negotiations, the Claimant’s case settled for £215,000 which included pain and suffering, bereavement award, funeral expenses, financial dependency, services dependency and a Regan v Williamson award for the loss of consortium.

Concerned About a Delayed or Missed Diagnosis?

If you have lost a loved one and believe that a delay in diagnosis or medical treatment may have contributed to their death, our specialist clinical negligence solicitors are here to help. We understand how difficult it can be to seek answers following a bereavement and can provide clear, compassionate advice about your options.

Contact Taylor Emmet’s Clinical Negligence team today for a confidential discussion about your circumstances.