THE TYPE OF CASE WE DO

£430,000 FOLLOWING CUTTING OF THE COMMON BILE DUCT DURING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY LEADING TO FREE LEAKAGE OF BILE AND LONG TERM COMPLICATIONS

R v Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2008)

Aged 46 R underwent routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

During the operation her common bile duct was divided (instead of her cystic duct).

R suffered a free bile leak leading to jaundice, cholangitis, faecal fistula, and intra hepatic abscess.

R required placement of a stent to replace her severed bile duct. R suffered from long term complications of narrowing of her bile duct, repeat infections, she required full reconstruction and remains at risk of further complications including requirement for liver transplant.

BREACH OF DUTY

The hospital accepted that R's injuries occurred due to negligent surgical technique.

OUTCOME

R's case was settled with payment of £430,000 plus the ability to return to Court for further compensation should her condition deteriorate in one of several ways at any time in the future.