Complications and negligence

Hello...In short has anyone successfully taken legal action against the Hospital/surgeon for mistakes ,neglect,and complications to do with a pacemaker op? does anyone know a good solicitor? no win no fee please...thank you..lyn

5 Comments

complications

by trish - 2014-02-19 01:02:43

Lyn, I also had complication during pacemaker implant. R ventricle was pierced. and I was I Cardiac ICU for 4 days with a pericardial drain. However, I am grateful to be alive. "To err is human, to forgive divine" I believe you will heal much faster if you talk this out, then forgive and drop issue.Trish

Complications and negligence

by stannita - 2014-02-19 05:02:56

After flat lining during tilt table test, a PM was recommended with a change in meds. I was told it "was possible" I could just fall dead one day without a PM.
Since I like life, want to reach at least 85/have a very good life; I had the PM, and after waiting 4 months for referral to go thru. I also had a pierced heart, MD found it after PM in place, emergency open heart surgery/out for 17 hours. When i awoke in ICU, I was told several times I was lucky to be alive. Three people have asked me if I was going to sue the MD. NO NO NO, he saved my life. It was an error that can happen, Could have been my heart structure, who knows? I am alive.
Best of luck to you and count your blessings.
Nita

COMPLICATIONS AND NEGLIGENCE

by stannita - 2014-02-20 01:02:07

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO A PRIVATE QUESTION. AFTER READING YOUR LAST NOTE, YOUR HISTORY IS SO SIMILIAR TO MINE, WITH THE PASSING OUT OVER TIME. MDS POO POOED ME FOR 16 YEARS. IT TOOK A NURSE PRACTIONER TO SEND ME FOR CARDIAC EVAL. YOU HAVE MORE PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM SURGERY, IF IN FACT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. MY MEDICAL CARE WAS SO GOOD, MUCH CARE WAS TAKEN TO ENSURE NO BLOOD CLOTS, AND IV ANTIBIOTICS WERE MY CONSTANT FOR 3 DAYS. MY OVERALL HEALTH IS/WAS VERY GOOD, MY EYES WERE CHECKED RECENTLY WITH NO MENTION OF PM INVOLVEMENT. (I AM NOW 73 YRS YOUNG) KEEP DOING RESEARCH ON YOUR PROBLEMS WITH EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD. ALSO, I KNOW I WENT THRU A DEPRESSION AND MANAGED TO WORK IT OUT MYSELF. IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY TO GET BETTER.
BEST TO YOU, NITA

To sue or not to sue?

by Harrie - 2014-02-20 05:02:07

Hi Lyn
I was advised about possible complications of surgery prior to signing the consent form, as I'm sure you were. However I was shocked after the surgery to come across a report - Review of Clinical implantation Procedures for Permanent Pacemakers in NSW Public Hospitals 2007which showed complication rates on average of 11.9%, with the lowest being 8.5% and the highest a whopping 17%, as against the European rate of 3%. This enquiry came about because of the persistence of Dr John England a cardiologist who is himself the victim of a botched lead removal. In his clinical practice he found that some surgeons have higher infection rates and signature mistakes. That was 7 years ago and things have changed I hope but the point I am making is that while there are risks inherent in the procedure and we accept these risks, there is also negligence and incompetence, and if a
particular surgeon is repeating his mistakes then should he be allowed to continue? Not suggesting that this is the case for you, but something to consider. Incidentally I also read another research report recently which concluded after reviewing around 120 surgeries for acoustic neuromas that a newly formed team reached competency after about 57 surgeries. That's scary. Incidentally John England didn't sue, despite ongoing problems, and being told years later that the surgeon had "acted like a cowboy pulling on the lead so that it unravelled" best of luck with whatever you decide.

Reply to Trish and Nita

by lind08 - 2014-02-20 09:02:35

Thank you for your replies...I was 56 when the drs decided I should have a pm....I had been passing out...probably about 4/5 times in two years....I was assured that after the op I would have a different life.more energy...I so looked forward to going back to work etc...But it was not to be...during the op the surgeon touched a nerve in my arm...and it has not been right since..its heavy .very painful all the time....I noticed that I also had very thick long veins running across my chest...They are still there 2 years later...I developed three blood clots coming from the damaged arm....and was on warfarin jabs and pills for over 6 months....no one bothered to tell me why this was happening to me..I still black out...My eyesight has gone really weak...my optician explained that the pm op could effect eyesight...I am lethargic.I fall asleep when someone is talking to me...To be honest had I of known any of this I would have declined the op....Also.and this is very important I need to ask a private question to both ladies please can you tell me how I do that....Thank you so much lyn xx

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It may be the first time we've felt a normal heart rhythm in a long time, so of course it seems too fast and too strong.