Settlement obtained for delayed diagnosis of foreign body in child’s oesophagus

Julie Crossley, Medical Negligence claim specialist, has obtained a five-figure settlement for the parents of a child who, following the failure to take an x-ray, had a foreign body in their oesophagus for seven years.

After appearing to choke on something she had picked up off the floor, the child was taken to A&E at 18 months old. After an examination, her parents were given verbal advice.

A few weeks later, she was seen by her GP when her mother noted problems when eating. Another exam was done with a suggested review three weeks later. She was seen in hospital again with no x-rays taken.

At four years old, the child was again seen by her GP with eating problems and head tipping when eating.

She was seen another three times by the hospital over a two-year period and discharged with normal test results.

A foreign body was found in her oesophagus at eight years old, and she was admitted for elective surgery two months later.

She has been left with a pouch in her oesophagus, which an expert advised may need surgery in the future.

Julie comments: “The child suffered pain and discomfort when eating for seven years, and a simple x-ray on her first visit to A&E would have discovered the coin immediately. Due to the delay, she now may need further surgery in the future.”

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