Elderly client settles claim against leading hip surgeon

Dr Mala Sidebottom has recovered six-figure damages for an 87 year-old whose revision hip surgery in 2010 went disastrously wrong. 

The surgery was performed to relieve pain and improve mobility but instead initiated a spiral of events which led to pelvic instability, increased pain, reduced mobility and, eventually, removal of the entire hip joint, causing serious disability. 

Following a recent Supreme Court clarification of the law on consent to treatment, our client’s case was that, if they had been given proper advice about the risks and benefits of revision surgery, and the alternatives to surgery, they would have opted for a period of ‘watchful waiting’ with the result that surgery would have been postponed for several years and would have avoided the disastrous outcome which so unfortunately occurred. 

Liability was very firmly denied but a settlement was agreed shortly before trial. 

Our client said:

“I have been very grateful for all your efforts over the years to secure a successful ending to the clinical negligence claim.  I’m sure without your determination and thoroughness there could well have been a different outcome”.

Dr Mala Sidebottom said:

“I am pleased that we were successful and, also, that my client has now undergone further treatment.  I very much hope that, with time, their improved condition will allow them to take pleasure in the coming years”.