THE TYPE OF CASE WE DO

GP FAILURE TO CONSIDER DVT AS A DIAGNOSIS, DEATH

C V Dr Phipps (2001)

Aged 65 Mr D suffered significant injuries in a road traffic accident including ankle fracture.

A week later D represented to his GP with a lump on his thigh as well as breathing problems and general weakness.

The GP advised D that the lump was nothing to worry about.

Four days later while being treated in hospital for management of his fractured ankle D was diagnosed as suffering from a pulmonary embolism and was anticoagulated.

Two days later D suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

Post mortem demonstrated that D had developed a deep vein thrombosis after his ankle fracture and that this had resulted in his pulmonary embolism.

BREACH OF DUTY

It was D's case that the GP should have considered he may have been suffering from pulmonary embolism on presentation with breathing difficulties and again on presentation with thigh lump.

CAUSATION

It was D's case that prompt referral to a chest physician would have resulted in anti coagulation and death avoided.

OUTCOME

Liability was admitted on behalf of the GP and the case settled for £45,754