Brain Injury Claims

Air embolism causing stroke and permanent brain injury during mitral valve repair

Our client was a gentleman in his 60s who underwent an operation to repair a valve in his heart. Complications occurred during the operation and a large amount of air was noted in the heart during the operation. The operation was technically complex and the manner in which the air was allowed into the heart was not entirely clear. Our independent experts were supportive of the case and concluded that the air could only have entered the circulatory system through negligence. Sadly they concluded that the air had travelled to the brain and caused a stroke. This led to significant cognitive difficulties which meant our client was unable to properly manage his financial affairs and lacked capacity. He had impairment of the following higher mental functions:-

• Memory
• Concentration
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of initiation
• Difficulty with multitasking
• Difficulty with sequencing
• Difficulty with language function
• Impaired insight
• Impaired judgement
• Difficulty planning and decision-making
• Slow mental processing
• Proceedings were issued against the private hospital, surgeon and anaesthetist. Although liability was strongly denied, the matter was eventually settled and the court approved a global settlement of £600,000.

Diabetes mismanagement causes permanent brain injury

We obtained supportive independent expert evidence which prompted Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to admit failures in care when treating our client (a gentleman in his 60s). They accepted failures in respect of:-

• Referring to the Diabetes Inpatient Specialist Nurses following his initial hypoglycaemic event
• Treating hypoglycaemic episodes according to Protocol
• Performing adequate blood glucose monitoring and ensuring that the patient was offered a snack

Unfortunately, as a result of the failures, our client went into a hypoglycaemic coma. He suffered from an acquired brain injury and a profound personality change which was understandably distressing for his family. His mobility was more restricted and he became aggressive, angry and frustrated, which was hugely different to his personality before with his family describing him as a funny, loving and engaging man. After approximately 2 years he died from an unrelated illness and his widow pursued a case which was subsequently settled for £57,500.

Mismanaged medication

Our client was a man in his 70s who pursued a case against Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust having sustained a stroke following a routine hernia operation. We had supportive evidence which said that his anticoagulation medication had not been correctly managed in the build up to and following his operation.

Unfortunately, as a result of the alleged negligence the gentleman suffered a stroke and sustained brain damage. He lost sight in one eye and had significant effects on his memory. He was unable to carry out many of his hobbies and could not drive. He had significant additional care needs and, although the matter was strongly defended, settlement was eventually agreed at £375,000 about a month before a Trial was to start.

Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage

We pursued a case on behalf of the estate of a woman in her 30s who sadly died as a result of a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage. Her family described that, several weeks prior to her death, she described very severe headaches and vomiting. She had been assessed by GPs who diagnosed a neck strain. We suggested that an alternative diagnosis should have been considered and a scan would have resulted in the correct diagnosis and prompt surgery. Had surgery taken place she would have gone on to have a normal life expectancy. She was not married, but left behind a teenaged son. Liability was denied by two GP Defendants, but the case was eventually settled for £40,000.