Medical Negligence
Kingsley Napley LLP
Full Credential Description
We - A&E & Emergency Medicine Negligence | Home | Services | Medical Negligence | Emergency Medicine | Spinal Injuries | Elderly Care | Contact Substantial Award of Damages for A&E's Failure to Diagnose and Treat an Unstable Spinal Fracture Resulting in Wheelchair Dependency for 71-Year-Old - Case Study Navigation: Medical Negligence > Emergency Medicine > Spinal Injuries > Case Studies Publication Date: 2024 Practice Area: Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Emergency Department Failure: We secured substantial damages for a 71-year-old patient who is now wheelchair dependent as a result of A&E's failure to properly diagnose and treat an unstable spinal fracture, transforming their later years from independence to total mobility dependency. Elderly Patient Presentation: Our 71-year-old client presented to the Accident & Emergency department following a fall, with symptoms and mechanism of injury that should have prompted immediate and comprehensive spinal assessment and imaging. Diagnostic Failures: Despite clear indicators of potential spinal injury, the A&E department failed to conduct appropriate spinal assessment, order necessary imaging, or recognize the signs of an unstable spinal fracture requiring urgent treatment. Unstable Spinal Fracture: The undiagnosed fracture was unstable, meaning it posed significant risk of spinal cord damage and paralysis if not properly immobilized and treated promptly with appropriate orthopedic or neurosurgical intervention. Treatment Delays: The failure to diagnose the unstable spinal fracture resulted in delayed treatment, allowing the injury to worsen and ultimately leading to spinal cord compression and permanent neurological damage. Wheelchair Dependency: As a direct result of the diagnostic and treatment failures, our 71-year-old client is now permanently wheelchair dependent, having lost the ability to walk and requiring assistance with mobility and daily activities.
Measurable Results
Substantial award of damages for A&E failure to diagnose and treat unstable spinal fracture resulting in wheelchair dependency for 71-year-old. Major compensation achieved for elderly patient now requiring lifelong wheelchair assistance due to preventable emergency department diagnostic failures.