THE TYPE OF CASE WE DO

£45,000 for delay in treating tendon injury to hand in 40 year old man leading to loss of manual dexterity. 

Aged 40 O attended A&E having cut his first knuckle of his dominant hand.

O was assessed and his wound sutured. O recalled that he informed the doctor at the time that he was unable to move his thumb. 10 days later O's stitches were removed.  O complained that he was unable to move his thumb. 

14 days after the injury O was referred back to hospital where on x ray a piece of glass was noted in the wound and that O had suffered nerve and tendon damage.

O was left with limited movement of his dominant thumb. He underwent corrective surgery and was left with some residual difficulty in manipulation.

It was O's case that tendon damage should have been considered when he attended A&E and that he should have been examined by x ray and referred to a specialist.

It was O's case that proper assessment at A&E would have resulted in identification and removal of the glass. That O's final level of thumb function would have been improved. 

The hospital accepted responsibility for failing to find and remove the glass. The case was settled without trial for £45,000