£25,000 for lady following incorrect medical procedures

Julie Crossley, a medical negligence lawyer at Ashtons Legal, has obtained £25,000 for a lady whose treatment for bunions was inappropriate and has left her needing to purchase orthotics in order to remain mobile with a degree of comfort.

Mrs T had a history of problems with bunions and had undergone seven years of treatment from her GP before being referred to her local hospital.

The hospital had four surgical attempts at correcting the bunion. Three years after her initial hospital visits, Mrs T was still in pain and underwent a procedure to remove internal screws that had been put in during the earlier surgery in the hope that this would eradicate the pain.

Two years later, still suffering pain in the left foot when weight bearing, Mrs T saw an alternative orthopaedic surgeon for a further opinion. He advised that the chances of a fifth operation leaving Mrs T with a better result was quite small and therefore suggested that she should leave things alone.

Mrs T asked Ashtons to represent her and investigate the treatment she had received. An orthopaedic expert was instructed and identified numerous failings regarding consent and treatment. The conclusion was that if Mrs T had been properly advised of the risks she would have considered her options and would probably have elected not to undergo surgery. Alternatively, if she had undergone surgery and the Scarf osteotomy been properly modified, on the balance of probabilities Mrs T would have had a good outcome with an appropriately corrected toe.

Julie Crossley comments: “Unfortunately we see too many cases where the ‘consent’ process has been inadequate and people have not fully understood their options and the likely consequences of surgery or possible complications. In this instance there were problems surrounding both the consent and the treatment.”