Settlement Achieved After Missed Diagnosis Led to Double Leg Amputation

Case Summary

Irvings Law have successfully secured compensation for a grieving son whose mother, A, underwent bilateral above-knee amputations as a result of medical negligence and sadly passed away a year later.

The son instructed Simon Brennan at Irvings to pursue a claim against Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

In June 2020, A attended Whiston Hospital as an emergency following a fall at home and was later diagnosed with acute bilateral lower limb ischaemia.

It was alleged that earlier recognition and treatment of her vascular emergency would have avoided the bilateral above-knee amputations she subsequently underwent and, ultimately, the deterioration in her health prior to her death in June 2021.

Background

A, who had a history of cardiovascular problems including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, attended Whiston Hospital on 04 June 2020 after falling at home and remaining on the floor for around two and a half hours.

Her presentation included pale, mottled, painful and paralysed legs.

Although critical limb ischaemia was queried by a junior doctor, that diagnosis was dismissed by the consultant and therefore it was not acted upon urgently that evening.

A CT angiogram in the early hours of 05 June 2020 confirmed significant bilateral arterial occlusion.

By the time she was transferred to the vascular surgeons at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, both limbs were regarded as unsalvageable and she underwent emergency bilateral above-knee amputations later that morning.

Allegations

It was the Claimant’s case that Whiston Hospital failed to diagnose bilateral lower limb ischaemia promptly on the night of 04 June 2020, failed to seek urgent vascular input, and failed to arrange imaging and revascularisation in time to prevent limb loss.

Causation

It was the Claimant’ case that timely diagnosis and vascular intervention by Whiston Hospital would have avoided bilateral above-knee amputations, although some residual disability may still have remained.

It was contended that the amputations, resulting immobility, frailty and loss of independence materially contributed to the decline in A’s condition before her death from sepsis in June 2021.

Outcome

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust admitted breach of duty in relation to the failure by its emergency department consultant to diagnose or consider bilateral lower limb ischaemia, but disputed that the amputations could have been avoided.

Following a joint settlement meeting in March 2026, the claim against the Hospital Trust successfully settled for £125,000.

Following negotiations between the parties, the claim was settled on 23rd March 2026, with ND accepting an offer of settlement in the sum of £16,000.

Can I Start a Medical Negligence Claim?

If you or someone you know has suffered medical negligence similar to ND’s, such as a failure to diagnose and treat a tendon injury, then please get in touch with one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors today.

lrvings Law are specialists in handling medical negligence claims and are committed to securing financial compensation for victims of medical negligence.

We act on a ‘No Win, No fee’ basis. If your claim is successful, the costs will be paid by the Defendant. If the claim is not successful, the costs will be written off and you do not have to pay anything.

Contact us today for a no obligation and confidential chat on 0151 475 1999 or Clin.Neg@irvingslaw.com to see how we can help you.