Press Release
27/08/24
For Immediate Release
A Northern firm has secured £290,000 for the family of a loved one who died from a failed lung transplant surgery at a Manchester hospital.
AWH Solicitors recently secured the settlement after a lengthy legal battle for their client who ultimately lost her life as a result of medical negligence.
AWH Solicitors recently secured the settlement after a lengthy legal battle for their client who ultimately lost her life as a result of medical negligence.
When the client, whose identity has been protected, was notified in 2019 that she was a suitable match for a lung transplant, it should have been the start of a renewed journey towards improved health.
But just two years after the transplant surgery at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust she was placed on palliative care and passed away shortly after.
Speaking about the case, AWH Solicitors’ Director, Chris Marsh, said while no amount of money will make up for the negligence, financial support will be beneficial to the family.
Speaking about the case, AWH Solicitors’ Director, Chris Marsh, said while no amount of money will make up for the negligence, financial support will be beneficial to the family.
“Our client waited four years for a suitable lung match, and instead of getting to enjoy the rest of her life, she spent her final years deteriorating and on palliative care.
“The retrieval of the donor lungs was done at Bristol Hospital by a trainee under supervision, and during the retrieval process a 2cm laceration was made to the donor lung’s left superior pulmonary vein.
“The injury was recorded on an audit form as ‘moderate damage’ and communicated to the transplant coordinator at Manchester, but a decision was still made to complete the transplant.”
“The retrieval of the donor lungs was done at Bristol Hospital by a trainee under supervision, and during the retrieval process a 2cm laceration was made to the donor lung’s left superior pulmonary vein.
“The injury was recorded on an audit form as ‘moderate damage’ and communicated to the transplant coordinator at Manchester, but a decision was still made to complete the transplant.”
Following the surgery and a two-day stint in the ICU, the hospital admitted numerous errors had taken place and the client underwent another surgery, where it was discovered that the left atrial to left pulmonary vein anastomosis was twisted.
A few days later it became clear that the left lung would need to be removed and was found to be congested and black due to the errors in the implanting surgery.
A few days later it became clear that the left lung would need to be removed and was found to be congested and black due to the errors in the implanting surgery.
The patient spent 61 days in the ICU and a total of four months in hospital and was left with chronic muscle mass loss and psychological damage from the drawn-out intensive care period.
The surgery, which should have kept her in the ICU for just three days, ultimately left her struggling with daily activities, including eating and drinking, and contributed to her losing 13 kilograms.
The surgery, which should have kept her in the ICU for just three days, ultimately left her struggling with daily activities, including eating and drinking, and contributed to her losing 13 kilograms.
With a resting oxygen saturation around 96%, the client was diagnosed with chronic rejection just six months after the surgery and continued to deteriorate, before passing away.
Her family were further devastated when the Trust’s representatives denied liability, saying no errors had been made and that failure was an inherent risk of lung transplant surgery.
Her family were further devastated when the Trust’s representatives denied liability, saying no errors had been made and that failure was an inherent risk of lung transplant surgery.
AWH Solicitors refuted this claim and described the Trust’s attempt to dodge responsibility as continued negligence.
Mr Marsh added: “After our client’s death we were instructed to continue with her claim by her family, and our solicitors utilised evidence from two specialists in lung transplant surgery to pursue the case against the Trust.
“We were able to secure an out of court settlement of £290,000, but this sum will never come close to compensate our client losing their life.
“I am pleased that we were able to secure a settlement for our client’s family and I would encourage anyone facing medical negligence to reach out and remember they’re not alone.”
“I am pleased that we were able to secure a settlement for our client’s family and I would encourage anyone facing medical negligence to reach out and remember they’re not alone.”
-ENDS-
About AWH Solicitors
· UK’s top 200 law firms, AWH has offices in Manchester and Blackburn.
· The firm offer expert guidance and support on 12 legal areas including personal injury, medical negligence, industrial disease, housing disrepair and employment law.
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