Background: This case involved a fatal claim brought on behalf of the estate of a lady, who passed away due to a failure to treat a left-sided psoas abscess.  The deceased had a history of a left total hip replacement in 2002 and began experiencing lower back and hip pain in early 2017. Initially suspected of having an infection in her hip prosthetic, she was prescribed antibiotics.

Medical Journey: Despite ongoing symptoms, further investigation revealed spondylo-discitis at the L1/2 level with left psoas muscle abscess formation. Although a plan was made for IV antibiotics and further management, the deceased’s condition continued to deteriorate.

Treatment Attempts: Aspiration and drainage of the abscess were attempted twice, with the second attempt being successful. However, the deceased continued to experience severe pain and symptoms of infection. A CT scan confirmed bilateral psoas abscesses, but the recommended drainage was deemed too difficult. She was then discharged, with the abscess considered “essentially resolved.”

Continued Struggles: The deceased’s pain and symptoms persisted, and further investigations revealed the abscess was still present. Despite this, no action was taken to treat her. Some months later, she was readmitted to the hospital with sepsis. Unfortunately, by the time further procedures were carried out, it was too late, and the deceased passed away.

Legal Action: The claim was brought posthumously by the deceased’s family. Our initial action was to support the family through the inquest, with Counsel James Reckitt of Dere Street Chambers representing them. The inquest process involved scrutinizing medical records and key events leading to death. Expert evidence from orthopaedics, radiology, and microbiology was obtained to determine the cause of death.

Inquest Findings: The inquest concluded that there were significant omissions made by the clinical team to identify deterioration of the psoas abscess, to develop any treatment plan or to properly treat the deceased.

The Trust’s failure to act was deemed negligent. If appropriate treatment had been provided, the deceased’s life could have been prolonged.

Outcome: Our support through the inquest process provided the family with closure and understanding of why their mother died. The expert evidence obtained during the inquest allowed us to advance a swift claim against the Defendant Trust post-inquest. Liability was admitted, and the case proceeded to settlement.

This story highlights the importance of thorough medical investigation and timely intervention, as well as the critical role of legal support in achieving justice for families affected by medical negligence.