bowel injury

Bowel injury is very frequently listed as a risk or complication of a surgical procedure, particularly gynaecological and abdominal surgery.  However, this does not necessarily mean that if your bowel is damaged during or immediately following surgery, that there is no negligence involved.  Similarly, where there is a risk of bowel injury during surgery, those caring for the patient in the post-operative period should be alert to the possibility of symptoms of bowel damage and to take appropriate action.  A damaged and leaking bowel should be urgently repaired to prevent septicaemia.  The bowel can also become spontaneously blocked or twisted without any surgical intervention and it is important that medical professions with whom the patient comes into contact recognise this as a surgical emergency.

Because of the various ways in which a bowel can become damaged claims may be brought against a variety of health professionals although probably most frequently against Consultant Surgeons, hospital bodies and General Practitioners.  We at Blake Lapthorn have experience in dealing with all types of bowel injury claims.

The effects of an injury to the bowel, whether by direct surgical trauma or spontaneous twisting or blockage can be devastating to the patient.  Very often additional surgery is required, the patient may require a stoma or may suffer from long term bowel incontinence or a permanent change in bowel habit.  The psychological affect of such an injury can be equally as disabling.

The Clinical Negligence team at Blake Lapthorn have extensive experience of a wide range of bowel injury claims and in particular, are fully aware of the impact that such an injury can have upon a client’s employment prospects, social life and personal relationships.

If you have suffered a bowel injury which you feel should have been avoidable, we would be happy to discuss the circumstances surrounding your claim with your further. 

We have good established working relationships with a number of eminent independent medical professionals who are willing to assist in investigating whether or not the treatment that you received was of an acceptable standard and to what extent your injuries should have been avoided.  If it seems that your injury was caused by negligence, we then have the expertise to explore all areas of your life that have been affected by this treatment, as well as the physical injury and trauma itself, to ensure that you are properly compensated.  Our experts may also recommend specific treatments or aids to help you better manage your injury in the future and, if we are able to secure an admission of liability at any stage, we may be able to obtain an interim payment on your behalf to ease the financial burden and provide for any recommended treatment while your claim is concluded.

For further information please contact Alison McClure in the Clinical Negligence team on 023 8085 7345 or email alison.mcclure@bllaw.co.uk.