Latest News

Articles and relevent news...

Tim Watson

AUTHOR: Tim Watson
DATE: 08/02/2018
SERVICE: Medical Negligence


Medical Negligence Success

Tim Watson, Medical Negligence Solicitor at Brewer Harding & Rowe Solicitors LLP, reports that he has secured a substantial five-figure compensation sum on behalf of Mrs H from her local hospital Trust following a Medical Negligence Claim.

Mrs H started to suffer with chest pain in April 2012. She visited her GP on a number of occasions throughout April and May 2012, until she was referred to her local hospital. She attended the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic in May 2012 and underwent a treadmill test, otherwise known as an Exercise Stress Test. This included undergoing an ECG. The ECG was reported as being normal and Mrs H was discharged.

Her chest pain and breathlessness continued for several months. As the treadmill test was reported as being normal, a cardiac cause was ruled out. Other potential causes were investigated. This included gastroenterological causes and she was seen by a Gastroenterologist in December 2012 at her local hospital. Fortunately, the Gastroenterologist reviewed the ECG undertaken during the treadmill test and suspected that the results should not have been reported as normal. He referred Mrs H back to the cardiologists. A coronary angiogram was undertaken in March 2013, which showed Mrs H was suffering with severe coronary artery disease, specifically total occlusion in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. She underwent a risky coronary intervention procedure in August 2013 which, thankfully, was successful.

Mrs H instructed Tim Watson at Brewer Harding & Rowe Solicitors LLP to investigate the treatment she received. He obtained expert opinion from an independent Consultant Cardiologist, which suggested that the ECG performed during the treadmill test should not have been reported as being normal and in fact showed evidence of coronary artery disease. Tim also obtained independent expert evidence from a Consultant Psychiatrist, which demonstrated that Mrs H had suffered mentally as a result of the substantial delay in diagnosis of the coronary artery disease and the symptoms suffered as a result.

Tim served a detailed Letter of Claim on the hospital Trust, who admitted liability at an early stage, although the length of the delay in diagnosing the coronary disease was disputed. Tim was able to secure a substantial five-figure compensation award for Mrs H without the need to issue Court proceedings.

Tim comments as follows:

“The delay in diagnosis had a dramatic effect on Mrs H’s quality of life. She suffered with severe and almost constant pain for 8 months and was unable to work for most of that time. She therefore suffered not only physically but financially. I was therefore delighted to secure compensation on her behalf. I was even more pleased that I was able to do so without the need to issue Court proceedings, which can often add an extra layer of stress for people in Mrs H’s position. Thankfully in this case, the hospital Trust took a sensible and pragmatic approach to Mrs H’s claim and we were able to come to an early settlement agreement.”

If you have any concerns regarding medical treatment you have received, Brewer Harding & Rowe Solicitors LLP are able to provide you with expert advice from an early stage. Please do feel free to get in touch with Tim Watson on 01271 340655 or tim.watson@bhrlaw.co.uk to discuss any concerns you may have on a free and confidential basis.