Our Case Studies

Family instruct Williamsons to investigate if husband and father’s death at the Hull Royal Infirmary from a pulmonary embolism should have been prevented.

A 43-year-old man, who was a loving husband and father, underwent a routine operation on 13.8.08 and was discharged the next day. Subsequently he developed a pain in his calf on 19.8.08, when he mentioned this to the District Nurse on 20.8.08 she suggested that he might have deep vein thrombosis (“DVT”) and arranged for him to be seen in the Acute Assessment Unit (“AAU”) of the Hull Royal Infirmary. An hour or so later, he arrived at AAU and the results of a blood test were positive for a DVT. He was therefore given an injection to thin his blood. Arrangements were made for a scan, after waiting a number of hours he was told at around 6pm that somebody had failed to electronically request the scan correctly and he would need to return the next day for this.

At 9.00am on 21.8.08, he went back to AAU and had an ultrasound scan of his left leg a few hours later. Following this a Doctor told him that the scan showed no evidence of a DVT and he was discharged home, without any further treatment/advice.

On 8.9.08, and the evening of 9.9.08, he complained of breathlessness. The calf pain previously experienced had not improved. After collapsing at home on 10.9.08 and losing consciousness for a short period, he was rushed to the Hull Royal Infirmary in an ambulance. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated and he died from a pulmonary embolism.

We are acting for the deceased’s wife under a “No Win, No Fee” agreement, therefore she does not have to pay any legal costs at all. With the experience of our specialist Solicitors, we are confident that her claim, and that of her daughter, will ultimately be successful. If you would like us to help you, just send us a quick email, pop in to see us or call our free telephone number - 0800 298 6013. We offer a free first interview, so you have nothing to lose.

Pulmonary embolism: Background information.

What is this?

Pulmonary embolisms occur when a foreign body, usually a blood clot, blocks the supply of blood to the lungs. This is a serious condition, which can often be life threatening for all age groups.

A pulmonary embolism develops when the blood clot travels from your leg up into your lungs. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the major risk factors for pulmonary embolisms. A DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the veins in your leg.

If the embolism is caused by a blood clot and it is not causing emergency symptoms, medication may be used to dissolve the clot. Anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication will also be used to stop more clots forming.

When does this occur?

Those patients in the following situations may also be at increased risk of developing a fatal blood clot in the lung:

• Elderly people, especially if they have to spend a lot of time in bed.

• After an operation, especially in the abdomen.

• Being overweight increases the risk even more.

• Pelvic fractures and fractures of the lower limb.

• Pregnancy and childbirth.

What are the symptoms of a pulmonary embolus?

The most important symptom is breathlessness, which often occurs suddenly and for which there is no other explanation. You may feel a sudden pain in your chest, cough up blood in your phlegm and/or start feeling uncomfortable, nervous and anxious.

Misdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism

On occasions there can be errors in the diagnosis of the symptoms of DVT/pulmonary embolism, resulting in fatal consequences. This can occur either at Hospital or with a General Practitioner. We are regularly approached to investigate such claims.

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