Scaring and infection caused by hospital negligence

A fall in a shop and a cut chin led to a wound infection and facial scarring when the Royal Oldham Hospital failed to properly treat a young lady.

At the time of the incident she was in a shop and felt hot and faint, she stepped outside but then collapsed falling forward into the shop, cutting her chin and chipping 2 teeth.

She was taken to the Oldham Hospital in an ambulance but was only seen several hours later and had to ask for pain relief when none was initially administered.

Hospital Negligence

Her medical notes stated her skin was torn below the point of the chin and was gaping open, however there is no documentation to suggest the wound was cleansed or washed prior to closure.  A local anaesthetic was applied, three sutures and glue were used and steri-strips were applied.

Over the next few days, our client reported that the wound appeared open, was red and oozing.  Her local pharmacist suggested it looked infected.  Following this our client attended her GP surgery and was given antibiotics and an appointment for a review in the clinic was made.

At the GP appointment, her wound was cleansed, irrigated with saline, and redressed.  When her sutures were removed a couple of days later whilst her wound was healed the area is jagged in appearance and there is a prominent scar.

Breach of duty of care

In this case our medical negligence solicitors proved a breach in duty of care and the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust made an out of court settlement of £5,000 for the client

It was noted that analgesia should have been given earlier, the wound should have been thoroughly cleaned, no preventative antibiotics were given, the sutures used were too big which could affect the scarring and cosmetic outcome of the wound and the aftercare was substandard.

How can we help?

For legal advice on hospital negligence cases contact our specialist medical negligence solicitors on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk

Subscribe to our newsletter

Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.