The story
Our client was injured during a routine coronary angiogram, which led to her losing the use of her dominant arm and hand.
The details
The claimant, an 84-year-old woman, suffered a serious injury to her right arm after a coronary angiogram at the Defendant hospital. During the procedure, a main artery in her upper arm was perforated. There was a delay in performing vascular surgery to prevent compartment syndrome, which resulted in her losing all useful function in her arm and hand. Before coming to us, she had filed a formal complaint with the NHS Trust responsible for her care, seeking an explanation for her significant injury. The Trust assured her that there had been no negligence or bad practice, and that good care had been provided in a difficult situation.
The impact
In her eighties, our client lost the use of her dominant right arm, making it hard for her to live independently and care for her disabled husband.
How we helped
We were instructed to investigate and bring a claim for damages in clinical negligence against the NHS Trust. We reviewed her medical records and took a detailed witness statement. We also consulted independent experts in cardiology, vascular surgery, and orthopaedic surgery for their medical opinions, and got a report from an occupational therapy expert specialising in upper limb injuries. Based on the evidence, we prepared a detailed Pre-Action Protocol Letter of Claim and sent it to the Trust. In their response, the Trust admitted significant breaches of duty of care and causation, though our client still had to prove the nature and extent of her injury. The Trust apologised to her.
We prepared a schedule of loss and damage and sent it to the Trust, after which we negotiated a financial settlement to our client’s satisfaction. Throughout the process, we prioritised our client’s age and the severity of her disability.
The settlement has allowed her to obtain aids, equipment, care, and domestic assistance to help her cope more easily with her disability. She also appreciated the long-overdue apology.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2025