Is A Ruptured Bowel Negligent?
If you have sustained a ruptured bowel while under the care of medical professionals, you may be wondering whether you have been the victim of medical negligence. In this article we explore this question in greater detail, explaining whether or not you could be in a position to claim compensation.
What is a ruptured bowel?
A ruptured bowel is when the intestine is torn or punctured, creating a hole through which waste products can pass. This will lead to serious health complications, as the faeces and other waste stored in the intestine spills out through the gap and into the abdominal cavity. This will infect the lining of the abdomen, causing a severe infection called peritonitis. This will make the individual in question extremely unwell and can be fatal if left untreated.
When is a ruptured bowel negligent?
A ruptured bowel can occur for non-negligent reasons. For example, it may be an injury sustained during a traumatic accident such as a car crash, or the result of a medical condition such as ulcerative colitis. If someone does suffer a ruptured bowel and then seeks medical attention for their symptoms, medical professionals must recognise the signs and make a quick diagnose, as a repair must be performed as soon as possible. If doctors fail to detect the problem, this will be considered negligent.
Furthermore, a ruptured bowel can occur for negligent reasons. This will commonly happen during surgery when the bowel is accidentally cut or punctured by a surgical instrument. If this is found to be the result of negligence on the part of the surgeon, there may be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
However, a ruptured bowel is a known risk of many types of operation involving the abdomen, and it is not always possible to avoid. Patients are normally informed of this possible complication before signing a consent form. If there are issues with consent, in that the patient was not fully informed of the risks, there could be a case of negligence.
But where claims normally arise is where the bowel is accidentally ruptured, and yet the injury is not identified at the time of the operation. Consequently a patient is sutured, brought round from the anaesthetic and returned to the ward, only to become increasingly unwell. If medical professionals fail to suspect an undiagnosed ruptured bowel, there will be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
Compensation for a ruptured bowel
If you think you or your loved one might be entitled to compensation for a ruptured bowel, be sure to contact a solicitor without delay to find out what action you need to take next.
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Can We Help You With A Medical Negligence Enquiry?
Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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