A landmark case involving delayed treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm saw a successful settlement for the affected family, thanks to Gadsby Wicks.
- Mr P was initially diagnosed with an aneurysm in 2014, but experienced critical delays in treatment and referral.
- Despite knowledge of the aneurysm, a missed review led to significant disease progression, worsening Mr P’s condition.
- Legal proceedings conducted by Gadsby Wicks revealed negligence, resulting in a £150,000 settlement.
- This case highlights increasing claims related to delayed medical treatment and the vital role of specialised legal practices.
In 2014, Mr P was diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) following a referral from his GP to the hospital. Despite a CT angiogram confirming the condition and suggestions of inflammation, the subsequent review failed to prioritise urgent intervention, setting the stage for a series of missed opportunities.
As 2014 progressed, Mr P’s condition worsened. He returned to the hospital with severe symptoms but did not receive the necessary timely surgical intervention. An anaesthetic assessment was scheduled, yet the delays continued, during which time his aneurysm grew significantly.
By early 2015, Mr P had lost vital time as the aneurysm worsened to 6.3cm, leading him to seek a second opinion. This brought him to St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where he finally underwent the required surgical repairs, albeit after avoidable complications had set in.
Unfortunately, post-surgery complications included a loss of kidney function, an incurable infection attached to the surgical graft, and an eventual decline into renal and cardiac failure, leading to Mr P’s untimely death. The causation was recorded as ischaemic bowel, atherosclerosis, among other factors.
Gadsby Wicks pursued the case on grounds of medical negligence, attributing unnecessary treatment delays to failures in the referral process. They successfully secured a £150,000 settlement for the family, affirming the serious consequences of delayed treatment in such critical cases.
The solicitor in charge, Tony Mitty, noted the importance of providing closure and financial security to the family, though acknowledging that no compensation could truly rectify the loss. This case is one in an increasing number of delayed treatment claims being managed by Gadsby Wicks, reflecting a troubling trend in medical practice.
The successful outcome not only provided the family with justice but underscored the grave impacts of delayed medical intervention.
