Kent hospital fails to prevent elderly lady’s pressure ulcers leading to a painful death

This case study demonstrates the expertise of our Clinical Negligence team who represented the family of an elderly Kent lady at the inquest into her death caused by pressure ulcers.

Mrs S died at a hospital in Ashford a few weeks after she was admitted with a broken leg. At the inquest the Coroner delivered a narrative verdict which stated that the hospital had failed to follow their own procedures for the prevention of pressure ulcers.

Mrs S developed very painful ulcers on her sacrum which were so severe that nursing staff admitted that pain relief had often been ineffective. Mrs S’s family were constantly at her bedside and were distraught by her acute suffering. Following the inquest we were instructed by the family to pursue a claim for compensation on behalf of Mrs S’s estate for her pain and suffering. We acted under a conditional fee agreement. The claim settled without the need to issue court proceedings for compensation of £17,500.

This is a tragic example of the poor standard of care all too often offered to elderly people in hospital.

We have one of the largest and most experienced specialist medical negligence teams in Southern England including London. Our team of highly experienced lawyers has the depth and range of expertise essential in this sensitive and often complex area of law. Our clinical negligence team is very proud to be ranked Number 1 in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK.