New Mother Wins Compensation After Cyst Repeatedly Mistreated
AWH Solicitors have helped a new mother to claim compensation, after a cyst was overlooked by her medical team, and it later had to be removed under general anaesthetic. Our specialist solicitor Sophia Azam helped our claimant throughout the process.
On the 13th September 2019, our claimant noticed a lump on the underside of her right breast, which was both warm and painful. She was not breastfeeding at the time. She visited her GP, and they recorded that the lump was present in the lower/medial quadrant, and that there was an area of redness to the skin. She was advised that it was most likely mastitis, and prescribed antibiotics. Mastitis is an inflammation and sometimes infection of the breast tissue, but it most commonly affects women who are breastfeeding. During her 8 week post-natal check on the 24th September 2019, our claimant reported that the suspected mastitis had settled, but a new lump had developed which was also painful. This was described as present in the inner lower quadrant of the right breast. She was referred to a Breast Clinic under the ‘2 week wait system.’
Our claimant was then reviewed in the Breast Clinic on the 2nd October 2019, and underwent an ultrasound that found the presence of an abscess with inflammation in the surrounding breast tissue that corresponded to the palpable abnormality. Despite our claimant requesting that the painful lump be drained, her request was refused, and she was prescribed a course of antibiotics. A follow-up appointment for a further ultrasound was arranged for the 16th October 2019. Despite the antibiotic treatment, the lump continued to grow and became increasingly painful. There was obvious redness to the skin, and the client reported developing a fever and vomiting because of the intense pain. Due to the level of pain, the claimant found it difficult to care for her young children. She then attended the further ultrasound, and it was found that the abscess had grown further. Despite this, it was still not drained and our claimant felt that it was going to burst. She contacted the breast clinic again and was invited back for a further review two days later.
The medical professional who now saw our claimant was surprised that the abscess had not been drained at the two previous appointments. She found a significant distortion of the breast, and an area of imminent spontaneous rupture. There was an attempt to drain the abcess under local anaesthetic, but our claimant struggled to tolerate the pain. Following a further ultrasound that showed a persisting cavity, it was decided that our claimant required formal incision and drainage under general anaesthetic. Augmentin was prescribed in the interim, and she finally underwent the incision and drainage procedure on 24th October 2019.
As a result of the repeated substandard medical care:
- Our claimant was advised that she is now at risk of recurrent abscesses because of the initial one not being drained.
- Our claimant has now been left with a scar on the underside of her breast.
- Our claimant had to endure a lengthy period of pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
Read more about medical negligence on our medical negligence claim solicitors page
In this case, our expert solicitor was pleased to assist our claimant throughout the case, and she ultimately won damages in excess of £5,000. Cases like this show how medical negligence can be highlighted, and that those who suffer due to it can get the justice that they deserve. If you think that you have suffered from a similar situation, then we can help you to get the compensation that you deserve.
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![Sophia Azam - Associate Solicitor]()
Sophia Azam Associate Solicitor view profile
