Friday, 20 July 2012

Mum's Horror Being Awake during Surgery


An elderly lady from the Wirral went into theatre to have what she believed to be routine heart surgery. She thought she knew what to expect.
This lady in her early 70s, suffered the trauma of being awake during the operation but paralysed and helpless to do anything. She experienced extreme pain and believed that she was going to die. All she could do was hope that the anaesthetic would take hold.
Supported by her daughters, this Wirral lady approached Fiona Kemp, Partner in the Clinical Negligence department at Lees Solicitors.
At Lees Solicitors LLP, we have acted for a number of patients who have suffered such an experience and understand the serious physical and emotional consequences that can follow.
For most people, the thought of being awake but paralysed during surgery is something that belongs in a horror film. Unfortunately, for some patients, the nightmare can be a reality. Some research has suggested that approximately 1-2 patients per 1000 operations experience some form of awareness of what is happening, despite having received an anaesthetic. Many of these have been as a result of errors by the hospital.
If you know anyone who has experienced anesthetic awareness whilst having an operation, they will have, not only experienced severe pain, but also in many cases may go on to have psychological problems.
At Lees Solicitors we have a team of specialists managed by a qualified nurse who have dealt with many of these cases so they are at the end of the phone to support you from the moment you call to make an initial enquiry.
If you would like further advice on how to bring a claim, please call our specialist team on 0800 387 927.

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