£16,000 Settlement
Robert, 48 years old, from Newcastle, had a history of diabetes and diabetic neuropathy (a type of nerve damage which can occur with diabetes). In August 2015 Robert injured the second toe on his left foot, unfortunately, due to his diabetic neuropathy, Robert did not feel any pain in the toe. The following day, Robert’s toe had increased in size and a blister had started to form. Robert attended the Defendant GP where he was provided with antibiotics and a referral for wound dressing and a negligent, non-urgent referral to the Podiatry Department was made.
Robert completed his weeks course of antibiotics and returned to his GP Practice, negligently Robert was not prescribed a further course of antibiotics simply advised to continue attending for wound dressing. Just under two weeks without antibiotics Robert received the Podiatry appointment. Robert was referred to Hospital and informed the infection had spread to the bone and amputation was required. Robert subsequently had his second toe on his left foot amputated.
Robert instructed Pryers Solicitors to investigate a potential Clinical Negligence claim against the Defendant GP. Pryers Solicitors obtained evidence from an Expert General Practitioner and Vascular Consultant. The experts were of the opinion the Defendant GP failed to consider Robert’s significant health issues and failed to make an urgent referral to the Podiatry Department. If an urgent referral had been arranged, on the balance of probabilities Robert’s toe would have been salvageable for a period of 1 week, meaning the amputation could have been avoided.
The Defendant admitted the above failings and settlement negotiations were commenced. Robert was happy to accept settlement for the sum of £16,000.00.