It was alleged that there was a significant delay of three days in the diagnosis of the abscess and as a result a delay in surgery. With surgery at an earlier time, it was alleged she would probably have made a full recovery of bowel, bladder and limb function.
Miss B underwent surgery on her jaw in the form of a mandibular
osteotomy. She was discharged the following day and appeared to be
making a satisfactory recovery.
Miss B developed pain in her back just below her right shoulder
blade several months later. The pain became very acute and she was
taken by ambulance to hospital. She was examined and advised that
she had a sprain of her back. She was discharged home with
analgesia.
Miss B's pain did not diminish and became so severe that she was
seen at home by her GP. The GP arranged for her to be admitted
hospital that day.
Miss B was admitted to a ward with abdominal pain and vomiting
and Diamorphine was provided for the generalised abdominal pain.
Her temperature was recorded as 38.2 degrees.
Miss B complained to nursing staff of a numb feeling in her legs
rising up to the abdomen.
MRI scans revealed a collection compressing the thoracic spinal
cord extending down from T2 down to mid T6 which was thought to be
an epidural abscess in the upper thoracic region. Miss B underwent
urgent decompression surgery for the abscess.
It was alleged that there was a significant delay of three days
in the diagnosis of the abscess and as a result a delay in surgery.
With surgery at an earlier time, it was alleged she would probably
have made a full recovery of bowel, bladder and limb function.
Following negotiations, the settlement sum of £1.125 million was
agreed.