Michael Boylan LLP secured €450,000 in damages for the failure to diagnose a contorted bowel with perforation.
Our client presented to an emergency department by ambulance in May 2021 complaining of pain radiating to the lower abdomen. At triage the pain was noted as 9 out of 10. Bloods were normal. A chest x-ray demonstrated a prominent gaseous distension of a bowel loop in the upper abdomen, possible transverse colon, with no evidence of free air under the diaphragm.
He was discharged later that day and advised to take pain killers, see his GP for an ultrasound for his gallbladder and to return if pain increased or other symptoms appeared. His pain continued to worsen and he attended for a CT abdomen/pelvis that evening. The CT demonstrated caecal volvulus with potential for perforation. He was urgently referred for surgery. By the time surgery took place the caecum had split, and he required a laparoscopic non-restorative ileocolic resection with an end ileostomy, with the colon corner matured beside it to facilitate early stoma closure.
His consultant was very concerned that a CT had not been performed initially and that he had been discharged. He was advised that at the time of surgery he had only a few hours to live. He later had a successful reversal of his stoma, which was a significant mental relief.
It was our position that an earlier diagnosis and treatment would have avoided the stoma and would not have required the second operation. He has suffered physically and psychologically as a consequence of his injury and has ongoing symptoms.
The defendant admitted liability in full and the case proceeded as an assessment of damages only. The action settled for €450,000 together with all legal costs, immediately prior to the hearing date.