The Plaintiff, 17 years old at the time of her treatment was admitted to hospital suffering from abdominal symptomology. Following admission to hospital it was arranged that the Plaintiff would undergo a laparoscopy on 14th September 2004. That was carried out under general anaesthetic. During the course of the laparotomy the Plaintiff sustained an injury to her aorta, a blood vessel in her abdomen. The aorta was injured as a consequence of the insertion of the laparoscopic Verres needle. As a consequence of the injury the operation was converted from keyhole surgery to open surgery.
The patient required a blood transfusion and received two units of blood. The patient suffered considerable trauma being woken up with a large abdominal incision and associated pain. She had a prolonged post-operative recovery which interfered with her studies. The Plaintiff was left with a significant scar on her abdomen. She suffers from an increased risk of the formation of adhesions in the intra abdominal area. The patient also suffered a psychiatric reaction with a severe adjustment disorder being diagnosed along with a phobic anxiety disorder in relation to needles.
The Plaintiff instructed Patrick Mullarkey of Campbell Fitzpatrick Solicitors to act on her behalf on 13th September 2006. Medical evidence was obtained on her behalf which resulted in the issue proceedings on 27th July 2007. Proceedings were set down for hearing on 12th December 2007 and were listed for hearing before Christmas 2008. Ultimately the Plaintiff recovered £45,000 in full and final settlement of her case