A blood clot is a semi-solid mass of blood cells and different elements that shape inside of blood vessels. It could possibly block a vein or an artery, fighting blood from achieving organs, with probably devastating penalties. It is necessary that signs of a clot are recognised and handled temporarily in a different way they are able to be existence threatening or motive everlasting harm. Sadly, misdiagnosis and delays in analysis don’t seem to be unusual and those, together with different screw ups within the control of blood clots, can result in claims for clinical negligence.
Clots can shape in any a part of the frame. The time period Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is used to explain two interrelated prerequisites – Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Shockingly, consistent with Thrombosis UK, VTE is the most typical reason behind preventable health facility deaths.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
DVT is a blood clot that happens in one of the crucial deep veins of the frame, maximum frequently one of the crucial higher veins within the leg such because the femoral vein.
It is important to {that a} DVT is recognized and handled once conceivable. The longer a DVT is left untreated, the more serious the end result can grow to be. Untreated, a DVT can block or limit blood waft to the arteries within the limb, making amputation essential. A part of the clot too can break free probably leading to a pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot turns into lodged in an artery within the lungs fighting or proscribing blood waft.
PE is probably the most critical situation inside the spectrum of VTE and has a top mortality charge. Steered popularity of PE is paramount.
Analysis lately revealed within the Well being Sciences Evaluate means that, in an emergency division environment, greater than 27 p.c of sufferers with PE are first of all misdiagnosed and part of all the ones in inpatient settings are misdiagnosed.
To stop PE, first of all a DVT will have to be recognised so remedy will also be administered to cut back the danger of the clot breaking into the blood movement.
Signs
A blood clot / DVT would possibly motive throbbing or cramping ache, swelling and redness and heat in a leg or arm. A PE would possibly lead to unexpected breathlessness, sharp chest ache and a cough or the coughing up of blood.
Do I’ve a declare?
Blood clots are much more likely to happen in sedentary scenarios, for instance, following surgical procedure. Certainly, Thrombus UK says that 55 to 60 p.c of VTEs occur all the way through or after hospitalisation.
Consistent with pointers set by means of the Nationwide Institute for Well being and Care Excellence (NICE) all sufferers over 16 who’re admitted to health facility will have to be assessed for his or her VTE chance and preventative measures taken the place wanted.
It is very important make certain that sufferers keep hydrated and are lively every time conceivable. The place there may be an recognized chance, blood thinning drugs (anticoagulants) would possibly want to be prescribed. In particular, this will happen the place a affected person has different VTE chance components, for instance being obese, a smoker, or having positive prerequisites reminiscent of Crohn’s illness. Power stockings will also be beneficial to lend a hand with blood waft.
Claims for clinical negligence can rise up the place an insufficient overview of chance results in a preventable blood clot. An instance can be a failure to prescribe blood thinners post-surgery for any individual in danger or a loss of appropriate recommendation. A failure to diagnose a DVT in time may additionally lead to a declare the place a PE is due to this fact suffered.
VTE Case research
- One in all our solicitors acted for a person in his 40s who suffered from unexplained calf ache. On attending his GP and A&E he was once prompt that the indications have been because of sciatica. He had no historical past of again issues in any respect. This was once a snap analysis with out a correct investigation or exam of his vascular machine. His situation worsened over the years and in the end he was once not able to stroll. When admitted to health facility his foot was once discovered to be chilly and light. A femoral artery blood clot was once discovered however by means of this time it was once too overdue to perform to avoid wasting the leg and he needed to go through an amputation. The declare settled after factor of courtroom continuing for a seven-figure sum.
- One in all our solicitors additionally acted for a chemotherapy affected person who suffered with identical signs. In spite of the well known sturdy affiliation between some chemotherapy medicine and deep vein thrombosis his situation was once no longer recognized temporarily and after ready 13 hours to be noticed in A&E he needed to go through an above knee amputation because of NHS negligence. The declare settled with out the will for courtroom lawsuits for an overly important sum.
How we will be able to lend a hand
We concentrate on VTE claims and know how devastating the affects will also be. We offer our shoppers with the perfect stage of improve from the outset and paintings with main professionals, together with the ones within the box of vascular surgical procedure, to evaluate a declare. We make certain that any package deal of reimbursement bought is maximised and that attention is given to all long term wishes and losses. The place a declare is introduced on behalf of any individual who has died, reimbursement will also be bought for a lack of dependency, each emotionally and financially.
FURTHER INFORMATION
You probably have any questions relating to this weblog, please touch James Bell or a member of the Clinical Negligence and Private Harm Observe, or name us on 020 7814 1200.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Bell is the pinnacle of our Clinical Negligence and Private Harm follow and joined the company in 2023 from Hodge, Jones & Allen. He has undertaken clinical negligence circumstances for over twenty years. All over his profession James has handled an overly wide selection of circumstances relating to all sorts of negligence claims – behind schedule analysis circumstances, beginning accidents, anaesthetic accidents, surgical mistakes, GP and health facility negligence, all sorts of orthopaedic claims, together with advanced hip and knee substitute surgical procedure claims and and all sorts of most cancers circumstances.
