Compensation recovered following successive failures to perform breast reduction surgery to an acceptable standard

Jonathan Herbert, specialist clinical negligence lawyer acting for the claimant successfully obtained a pre trial settlement to compensate the claimant for the pain and suffering and financial losses incurred by his wife following substandard breast reduction surgery at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Our client’s wife had been treated for breast cancer by the defendant.  Three years later, when aged 49 she underwent bi-lateral breast reduction surgery.  She had an adverse outcome with her nipples being too high and her right breast was still bigger than the left.  When aged 51 she underwent revision surgery.  She had a similarly adverse outcome (with her nipples being too high and this time with her right breast smaller than the left) with additional scarring.

This was a defended clinical negligence case.  Legal proceedings were taken.  Sadly, our client’s wife died aged 53 for reasons not connected to this negligent treatment.  The claim was taken over by her surviving husband and was being litigated towards trial.  The parties’ respective expert plastic and reconstructive surgeons agreed that in relation to the first operation, there were breaches of duty too mark nipple height and to fail to lift the breasts but all other negligence allegations remained in dispute.  Despite the limited agreement, Jonathan was able to secure a fair and reasonable settlement.

Jonathan Herbert specialises in surgical negligence cases.  If you would like to ask Jonathan a question about a potential case, or if you have a general query about any personal injury, contact him at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701226 in confidence.