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Claimant recovers £203,228.50 when hospital failed to promptly diagnose and treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Mr Lowthorpe underwent elective left inguinal hernia surgery (a mesh repair) on 31 October 2006. At surgical review on 13 December 2006, the wound was healing well but Mr Lowthorpe was experiencing discomfort interpreted as neuralgic type pain.

Mr Lowthorpe was referred to the Pain Clinic for review and he was referred separately for an ultrasound scan of his groin. At further surgical review on 24 April 2007, because of continuing discomfort Mr Lowthorpe was referred urgently to the Pain Clinic, as he was still awaiting an appointment.

Despite the urgent referral and the significant ongoing pain that Mr Lowthorpe experienced he was not seen at the Pain Clinic until 6 June 2007. On being seen in the Pain Clinic the plan was for Mr Lowthorpe to be reviewed some 3 months later, with no specific treatment plan made or any treatment options discussed with him.

Unfortunately the plan to be reviewed in 3 months turned out to be a 7 month wait and Mr Lowthorpe was not seen in the Pain Clinic again until January 2008. At this time the only treatment plan was to put Mr Lowthorpe on morphine analgesia.

Mr Lowthorpe was seen in the Pain Clinic several times in 2009 which resulted in minor changes to his analgesic medication.

Following investigations into this claim supportive expert medical evidence was obtained which confirmed that the Hospital Trust had failed to ensure that Mr Lowthorpe was seen in the Pain Clinic on an urgent basis and as a consequence the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which Mr Lowthorpe developed became entrenched. Mr Lowthorpe now suffers from severe restriction of movement, muscular atrophy and profound sensitivity to touch. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, coupled with appropriate psychological intervention/treatment would have resulted in an effective treatment plan involving a multidisciplinary approach and a reduction in Mr Lowthorpe’s general impairment(s) and overall disability of at least 50%.

An early Letter of Claim was served on the Hospital Trust following which admissions as to breach of duty were made. Thereafter, Court proceedings were issued and we were able to negotiate settlement.

Settlement monies for the Claimant will assist him in obtaining the treatment he requires to address Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and hopefully lead to improvement in his quality of life in the future.

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