A blood clot is a semi-solid mass of blood cells and different substances that type inside blood vessels. It may possibly block a vein or an artery, stopping blood from reaching organs, with probably devastating penalties. It’s critical that signs of a clot are recognised and handled rapidly in any other case they are often life threatening or trigger everlasting harm. Sadly, misdiagnosis and delays in analysis will not be unusual and these, together with different failures within the administration of blood clots, can result in claims for medical negligence.  

Clots can type in any a part of the physique.  The time period Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is used to explain two interrelated circumstances – Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Shockingly, based on Thrombosis UK, VTE is the most typical explanation for preventable hospital deaths.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is a blood clot that happens in one of many deep veins of the physique, mostly one of many bigger veins within the leg such because the femoral vein.

It is vitally essential {that a} DVT is identified and handled as quickly as potential. The longer a DVT is left untreated, the more serious the end result can develop into. Untreated, a DVT can block or prohibit blood movement to the arteries within the limb, making amputation obligatory. A part of the clot may also 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 stopping or limiting blood movement.

PE is probably the most severe situation throughout the spectrum of VTE and has a excessive mortality price. Immediate recognition of PE is paramount.

Analysis just lately revealed within the Well being Sciences Overview means that, in an emergency division setting, greater than 27 % of sufferers with PE are initially misdiagnosed and half of all these in inpatient settings are misdiagnosed.

To stop PE, initially a DVT have to be recognised so therapy might be administered to scale back the danger of the clot breaking into the blood stream.

Signs
 

A blood clot / DVT might trigger throbbing or cramping ache, swelling and redness and heat in a leg or arm. A PE might end in sudden breathlessness, sharp chest ache and a cough or the coughing up of blood.

Do I’ve a declare?
 

Blood clots usually tend to happen in sedentary conditions, for instance, following surgical procedure. Certainly, Thrombus UK says that 55 to 60 % of VTEs occur throughout or after hospitalisation.

In response to tips set by the Nationwide Institute for Well being and Care Excellence (NICE) all sufferers over 16 who’re admitted to hospital ought to be assessed for his or her VTE threat and preventative measures taken the place wanted.

It is very important be sure that sufferers keep hydrated and are lively at any time when potential. The place there may be an recognized threat, blood thinning treatment (anticoagulants) would possibly have to be prescribed. Significantly, this will likely happen the place a affected person has different VTE threat elements, for instance being chubby, a smoker, or having sure circumstances equivalent to Crohn’s illness. Strain stockings may be beneficial to help with blood movement.

Claims for medical negligence can come up the place an insufficient evaluation of threat results in a preventable blood clot. An instance can be a failure to prescribe blood thinners post-surgery for somebody in danger or an absence of appropriate recommendation. A failure to diagnose a DVT in time may end in a declare the place a PE is subsequently suffered.

VTE Case research

 

• Considered one of our solicitors acted for a person in his 40s who suffered from unexplained calf ache. On attending his GP and A&E he was suggested that the signs had been on account of sciatica. He had no historical past of again issues in any respect. This was a snap analysis with no correct investigation or examination of his vascular system. His situation worsened over time and ultimately he was unable to stroll. When admitted to hospital his foot was discovered to be chilly and pale. A femoral artery blood clot was discovered however by this time it was too late to function to save lots of the leg and he needed to bear an amputation. The declare settled after challenge of courtroom continuing for a seven-figure sum.
• Considered one of our solicitors additionally acted for a chemotherapy affected person who suffered with related signs. Regardless of the well-known robust affiliation between some chemotherapy medication and deep vein thrombosis his situation was not identified rapidly and after ready 13 hours to be seen in A&E he needed to  bear an above knee amputation on account of NHS negligence. The declare settled with out the necessity for courtroom proceedings for a really vital sum.

How we might help

We specialize in VTE claims and perceive how devastating the impacts might be. We offer our purchasers with the best degree of assist from the outset and work with main consultants, together with these within the discipline of vascular surgical procedure, to evaluate a declare. We be sure that any package deal of compensation obtained is maximised and that consideration is given to all future wants and losses. The place a declare is introduced on behalf of somebody who has died, compensation might be obtained for a lack of dependency, each emotionally and financially.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 is the top of our Medical Negligence and Private Harm follow and joined the agency in 2023 from Hodge, Jones & Allen. He has undertaken medical negligence circumstances for over 20 years.  All through his profession James has handled a really wide selection of circumstances regarding all forms of negligence claims – delayed analysis circumstances, start accidents, anaesthetic accidents, surgical errors,  GP and hospital negligence, all forms of orthopaedic claims, together with complicated hip and knee substitute surgical procedure claims and and all forms of most cancers circumstances.