The Type Of Case We Do

GP; FAILURE TO ACT ON REQUEST FOR REFERRAL

LM V CROOK (2005)

£13,000 for a year's delay in referral for treatment of glaucoma in 43 year old woman.

Aged 43 LM was noted by her optician to have high pressure in her eyes and a defect in her right eye.

The optician wrote to the GP suggesting a referral for investigation.

A year after the request for referral the GP referred LM.

LM was diagnosed with chronic open-angle glaucoma.

LM's eye had deteriorated over the year.

BREACH OF DUTY

It was LM's case that the GP should have made an immediate referral for investigation.

CAUSATION

Had LM been referred promptly the extent of her loss of visual field would have been reduced.

OUTCOME

The GP accepted liability and the case was settled without trial for £13,000