Bile Duct Injuries and Medical Negligence Claims
A major bile duct injury during a gallbladder operation may have a catastrophic impact on the patient. It may also justify a claim for compensation.
The risk of a bile duct injury
Although fairly common and usually highly-successful, gallbladder surgery is, nonetheless, complex, and negligent medical care can lead to life-changing complications.
Negligent care during gallbladder surgery can lead to the injury of the bile duct, leading from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. This can, in turn, trigger an infection of the peritoneum, or lining of the abdomen, which risks triggering sepsis, putting the life of the patient in danger. Those patients who survive a negligent bile duct injury may still suffer debilitating consequences, justifying a claim for compensation.
Medical negligence in relation to the bile duct during gallbladder surgery can take a variety of forms:
- A failure to ensure an adequate view of the anatomy, allowing an injury to occur
- Negligent care or technique during surgery leading to an injury
- A failure to recognise the signs and symptoms of a bile leak or bile duct injury
- A failure to repair or refer a patient who has suffered a bile duct injury
Claiming compensation
If you or a family member have suffered significant injury and subsequent financial losses due to negligent medical care, you are entitled by law, to make a claim for compensation. Any financial losses by the patient as a result of the negligence, such as loss of income due to disability, would be included in a successful claim.
However, claims for compensation for medical negligence need to be commenced within three years of the date of the alleged negligence. For example, if you have suffered significant losses due to negligent surgery in February 2020, you will need to initiate claim by February 2023.
It is best to contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor as promptly as possible as they will be able to assess the validity of your claim and advise you as to the best way forward.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with wide-ranging expertise. If you or a family member have suffered due to negligent gallbladder surgery, contact us to talk to an experience lawyer about the suitability of making a claim for compensation.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
