Medical Negligence
Kingsley Napley LLP
Full Credential Description
We - Elderly Care & Giant Cell Arteritis Specialists | Home | Services | Medical Negligence | Elderly Care | Giant Cell Arteritis | Delayed Diagnosis | Contact Settlement Secured for an Elderly Lady Who Was Blinded Following a Delayed Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis - Case Study Navigation: Medical Negligence > Delayed Diagnosis > Case Studies Publication Date: 2024 Practice Area: Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Preventable Blindness: We secured a settlement for an elderly lady who suffered complete and irreversible blindness as a result of delayed diagnosis and treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA), a serious inflammatory condition that can cause sudden vision loss if not treated promptly. Giant Cell Arteritis: GCA is a serious inflammatory condition affecting blood vessels, particularly in older adults. When it affects the blood vessels supplying the eyes, it can cause sudden and irreversible blindness if not diagnosed and treated immediately with corticosteroids. Early Warning Symptoms: Our client had been experiencing symptoms consistent with GCA including headaches, jaw pain, scalp tenderness, and visual disturbances. These symptoms should have raised immediate concern about possible GCA and prompted urgent investigation. Diagnostic Delays: Despite presenting with classic symptoms of GCA, there were significant delays in recognition of the condition and appropriate investigation. The medical professionals failed to appreciate the urgency of our client's symptoms and the risk of sudden blindness. Sight Loss Consequences: The delayed diagnosis and treatment resulted in our client suffering complete and irreversible blindness that has fundamentally transformed her life, affecting her independence, mobility, daily activities, and overall quality of life. Expert Evidence: We obtained evidence from specialist rheumatologists and ophthalmologists who confirmed that our client's symptoms were typical of GCA and that prompt diagnosis and steroid treatment would have prevented the blindness.
Measurable Results
Settlement secured for elderly lady who was blinded following delayed diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. Substantial compensation achieved for preventable blindness recognizing the devastating impact of diagnostic failures on independence and quality of life in elderly patients.