Woman's leg removal forced by clot delay - lawyers

Lawyers for a woman who had to undergo a leg amputation have said it was caused by a two-day delay in removing a blood clot she developed during surgery.

Problems arose when medical staff at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital did not consult vascular experts after fitting a vascular clamp to an artery to stop a bleed as Sawarn Kaur, 81, underwent a hysterectomy, Irwin MItchell said.

The delay meant circulation could not return to Kaur's left leg and she had to have it removed below the knee, the firm said.

It said The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust had admitted liability and apologised, but the trust told the BBC it could not comment while legal action continued.

Irwin Mitchell is pursuing compensation on behalf of Kaur and said it hoped highlighting the case would lead to lessons being learnt.

It said surgeons at New Cross Hospital had clamped the main artery to her left leg, during the operation in July 2021.

But it said medical staff failed to record in her notes that the clamp had been used and failed to contact vascular specialists for advice.

She eventually underwent surgery to remove the clot two days later, but the leg could not be saved.

Christopher Hurlston, the expert medical negligence lawyer representing Sawarn, said: "Through our work we too often see how missed opportunities and care failings can lead to significant injuries.

"Sawarn's case vividly highlights the life-changing repercussions patients can be left to face."

He said the hospital had admitted that if she had been urgently transferred, surgeons would have repaired the artery in her left leg.

He said he thanked the hospital trust for recognising the severity of what happened and hoped to reach a settlement which could pay for Kaur's ongoing care.

Kaur knew something was not right following the surgery, the lawyers explained.

"The pain in my leg was unbearable, and I was in absolute agony," she had told them.

The firm also reported she said: "It was devastating to be told there was nothing that could be done to save my leg".

Kaur had also said that since the operation she had faced "incredibly challenging and emotional times".

The patient has since undergone rehabilitation and has been fitted with a prosthetic leg.

However, Irwin Mitchell said she described losing her independence as "extremely difficult and hard to accept".

After being approached for a response by the BBC, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said: "As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further on this case at this time."

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