Venous thromboembolism or VTE is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent investigation and treatment. Negligent failure to prevent, diagnose or treat VTE, embolisms or blood clots which block the flow of blood and oxygen to vital organs and tissues of the body can result in death or permanent disability from brain injury, stroke, heart failure, lung damage, and amputation.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading preventable cause of deaths in hospital. VTE and blood clots are also the most common cause of maternal death during pregnancy, birth and postnatally. Most VTEs occur during or after hospital care. VTE, thrombosis and embolisms have severe and lasting consequences for patients and their families. If your injury was caused by medical negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation to recover lost income and pay for therapies, specialist equipment, necessary home adaptations and help with care.
Contact our medical negligence solicitors
For more than 30 years, Boyes Turner's medical negligence solicitors have guided injured patients through the claims process to secure the compensation and specialist support that they need to manage their disability and rebuild their lives.
You can contact us by telephone or by email for free, confidential advice from a medical negligence solicitor. We will ask you to tell us briefly about your injury and your medical care, and advise you about your time limits and whether we can help you investigate your claim. Once our investigations confirm you have grounds for a claim, we will notify the defendant healthcare provider (usually represented by NHS Resolution) on your behalf and invite them to respond, giving them an opportunity to admit liability (responsibility for your injuries) before court proceedings are issued.
If liability is admitted, we will obtain a judgment from the court and apply for a substantial interim payment to meet your needs arising from your injury and disability. If NHS Resolution deny liability, we will advise you about the best way to proceed with your claim. This may involve issuing court proceedings or inviting NHS Resolution to enter into settlement negotiations or mediation.
Partner, Medical negligence
A blood clot which forms in a vein, where it blocks or restricts the flow of blood, is called a venous thrombosis. When part of the blood clot breaks off and moves through the bloodstream to block a blood vessel in another part of the body, this is known as venous thromboembolism or VTE.
DVT or deep vein thrombosis is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Deep vein thrombosis or DVT means that a blood clot has formed in a deep vein, such as in the lower leg.
DVTs can sometimes be caused by long periods of immobility, such as sitting for hours on a long-haul flight or extended bed rest in hospital after surgery. Untreated DVT can lead to serious complications, including amputation or pulmonary embolism (PE).
Pulmonary embolism or PE is another type of VTE, which is caused when the breakaway blood clot causes a partial restriction of the blood flow or complete blockage in one or more of the arteries of the lung. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is often caused by clots which have been carried by the bloodstream from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg.
If PE is diagnosed and treated early, the patient should make a full recovery. Delays in treating PE can lead to death or disability from heart failure, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest, and lung damage (pulmonary infarction).
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST or CVT) is a very rare form of VTE which occurs when a blood clot blocks the large vein which drains blood from the brain. If untreated, CVT can cause brain injury from bleeding (haemorrhage) and swelling within the brain and stroke.
Air embolism, also known as gas embolism, is a dangerous condition in which a bubble of air has entered the blood circulation and blocks a vein or artery. Air embolism can be caused during surgical and anaesthetic procedures, dialysis, injections, use of intravenous cannulas or by trauma to the chest.
Air embolism blocks the blood vessel with an air bubble, unlike VTE blockages which are caused by blood clots, but has similar consequences for the patient, including stroke, heart attack, respiratory failure or death.
VTE, thrombosis and embolism injury and medical negligence claims against GPs, emergency services and hospitals often arise from one or more of the following negligent mistakes:
Our personal injury team can help clients with VTE (such as pulmonary embolism) claims arising from major trauma caused by workplace, RTA or other accidents.
Medical negligence claims arising from mistakes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of VTEs, thrombosis and embolisms often involve severe injury to the patient or long-term disability from:
VTE affects people of any age, gender, race or ethnicity. Up to 60% of all VTEs are associated with hospital care. Guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) requires hospitals to assess each patient’s individual risk of VTE on their admission to hospital and reassess their risk whenever their clinical condition changes.
The risk of thrombosis is increased by:
During and after pregnancy, the mother has a higher risk of developing venous thrombosis than someone of the same age who isn’t pregnant. The risk of pregnancy-related VTE is higher where the mother:
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most common cause of maternal mortality. Reports by MBRRACE-UK and HSIB have suggested that the deaths of many of these mothers could have been avoided with better maternity care.
Maternal death can be caused by VTE at any time during pregnancy, birth and for up to six weeks postnatally. Regular VTE risk assessment is an important part of maternity care. Midwives are required to assess the pregnant mother’s individual risk of VTE at the mother’s first (booking) appointment and at 28 weeks, as well as on admission to hospital at any other time during the pregnancy. A further assessment of the mother’s risk of venous thromboembolism should take place after the birth and on any postnatal readmissions to hospital.
Our client attended A&E and was found to have no pedal pulses and limited movement. A diagnosis of ischaemia was made. He was transferred to another hospital where seven days of unsuccessful attempts were made to clear the clots with intravenous heparin but he then required a below knee amputation.
Read the full story
Jan 2023
My number one priority when choosing a firm, was one which would act with integrity and honesty. I am pleased to say I found this in Boyes Turner. From my first communication right through to reaching a resolution, I have been supported by the same solicitor which has made the process much easier. Fran was very supportive and took the time to listen and understand my situation. She was honest, highly professional and kept me well informed throughout the process. She was also friendly, approachable and caring. I am very grateful for her support in helping me to gain some closure and put events behind me. Thank you Fran.
Vanessa Wand handled the research and case preparation and advised me generally on my medical negligence claim over a period of some two years. Her advice was detailed and accurate and was dealt with in an extremely professional and sympathetic manner keeping me fully informed and up-to-date with progress throughout. Although I ultimately abandoned my claim as it was not fully supported by the experts to whom the matter was referred to for opinion, this in no way detracted from the professional way in which the case was prepared.
Boyes Turner managed my fathers compensation settlement case as a result of failings in care. This was a very difficult situation for our family and Boyes Turner managed the whole process with complete professionalism and compassion. If you are unfortunate enough to require similar assistance I would highly recommend their team. The case was closed with an out of court settlement, we received a letter of apology alongside reassurances that lessons would be learnt which was of particular importance to us.
I have nothing but great things to say about Boyes Turner and the way my case was handled. I had the pleasure of having Julie Marsh assigned to my claim and she has been the utmost professional, kept me informed, explained everything I didn’t understand. She has given me support, guidance, understanding and most of all compassion all the way through. A great asset to your company, and a great outcome. Well done Boyes Turner, would not hesitate to use you again.
I cannot thank Julie Marsh and the team at Boyes Turner enough for taking on my case, believing in me and my claim and tirelessly fighting my corner for a positive outcome. My case was handled with personal care, up most professionalism and attention throughout. I was always kept up to date with progress, felt valued and heard. I highly recommend and I am eternally grateful.
Partner
Senior Associate - Solicitor
Associate - Solicitor
Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Paralegal
Medical records coordinator
