THE TYPE OF CASE WE DO

£25,000 following injury to the common bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

W v Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust (2005)

Aged 31 W underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy during which her bile duct was injured through fitting of an excessive number of clips in the wrong position.

After the operation W suffered from abnormal liver function and required investigation and subsequently reconstruction of her biliary tree.

W required laparotomy (open operation) leading to substantial scarring for the repair operation. W suffered weekly cramps and an exacerbation of pre existing depression. W's prognosis was however good.

BREACH OF DUTY

It was W's case that the hospital doctor had been negligent in failing to properly identify her bile duct during the operation and in using too many clips during the procedure. The hospital denied that the surgical care had been unacceptable.

OUTCOME

The case was settled with a compensation payment of £25,000