• 15 Nov 2024
• •
• 2 min read

Ms V – Urological Clinical Negligence Claim

James Braund, partner and specialist clinical negligence lawyers at Trethowans LLP, based at their Dorset offices in Poole and Bournemouth, has recently concluded a complex claim relating to alleged sub-standard medical treatment provided at around the time of the birth of her first child.

Ms V gave birth to her first child in August 2020. The delivery was not straightforward and was via Caesarean delivery. As such, Ms V was initially catheterised. She spent some time on the ward following delivery and her catheter was removed. However, her urinary output was not monitored and she was then discharged home.

Unfortunately, a few days later, Ms V was readmitted with severe urinary retention. She underwent treatment for this, but continued to experience significant symptoms, including a lack of urinary sensation and incomplete emptying.

Ms V instructed James to investigate a potential medical negligence claim surrounding her treatment. James undertook initial steps, including obtaining Ms V’s medical records and instructing an expert obstetrician to comment on the standard of the post delivery management. The claim was put to the Hospital. The Hospital (who had also undertaken their own Root Cause Analysis) admitted that it was a failure to monitor Ms V’s urinary output. However, they alleged that, even it the monitoring had taken place there would have been no difference to Ms V’s treatment.

James undertook further investigations in this respect. Further expert evidence regarding urinary management and the injuries was obtained from an expert urologist, as well as evidence regarding Ms V’s associated psychological injuries from an expert psychologist. Further investigations and treatment also took place, with additional updated expert evidence then being obtained, in light of the same. A detailed witness statement was also obtained from Ms V. Details of Ms V’s losses were collated into a Schedule and this was presented, together with the expert medical evidence, to the Hospital’s solicitors.

Various offers were made and negotiations took place throughout Autumn 2024, resulting in the claim being settled for a 6-figure sum.

Ms V stated “thank you to James for all his amazing work, I am incredibly grateful to him”. James added “Ms V suffered significant urological and psychological injuries, some of which will continue for the rest of her life. She will require ongoing clinical monitoring. This settlement will assist her in funding future treatment and go some way to compensate her for everything she has been through.”.