‘Sarah’, 48

Bryony Doyle, a specialist medical negligence solicitor at JMW, represented ‘Sarah’ in a claim against her GP and hospital in failing to diagnose and treat kidney failure. The negligence Sarah suffered caused a severe deterioration in her health and meant she had to undergo a kidney transplant several years earlier than she otherwise would have. Bryony was successful in securing £60,000 in compensation for Sarah for the pain and suffering she needlessly endured. 

Missed signs

Sarah attended a new patient check-up when registering with a new GP. Routine tests were carried out and reported raised blood pressure and protein in urine. A urine infection was ruled out and so these results ought to have prompted further investigations but the GP took no further action. 

Later Sarah suffered swelling to both ankles and although her GP prescribed medication, these symptoms did not improve and were again a sign of possible kidney problems. Further blood and urine checks were then carried out and Sarah was referred urgently to hospital, as these revealed signs of kidney failure. Following treatment in hospital, Sarah was discharged but the hospital failed to provide a follow up appointment with the renal team. 

Following Sarah’s hospital admission, the GP again failed to note signs of kidney problems. Sarah sought further advice from her GPs on several occasions and there were several missed opportunities to act on signs of persistent high blood pressure. Six months later, Sarah was eventually referred for a blood test which revealed kidney failure. A further urgent admission to hospital ensued where chronic kidney disease was confirmed. 
By this point, Sarah required dialysis and a kidney transplant. Had her kidney disease been diagnosed earlier, this would not have progressed to such a severe stage until several years later. 

Successful medical negligence case

Once Sarah’s kidney disease was confirmed, the hospital noted that there had been a failure to provide follow up six months earlier. After getting in touch with JMW, specialist medical negligence lawyer Bryony Doyle took on Sarah’s case. A full investigation of the medical records with the help of independent medical experts found that there were earlier failures by Sarah’s GP to act on warning signs of kidney disease. Bryony claimed that had the GPs made appropriate referrals and had the hospital provided timely follow up, Sarah’s kidney disease would have been diagnosed and treated sooner, which would have slowed the progression of her condition. 

These failures had an appalling impact on Sarah’s health and nothing could fully compensate her for this but Bryony was successful in obtaining £60,000 for Sarah.