Failure To Diagnose DVT Leads To Death Of Mum - Alison's Case
Overview
In this video, our Client Mr Darren Taylor talks to the BBC about his wife Alison who died 3 weeks after giving birth to their baby girl. Alison suffered a DVT which went undiagnosed. This resulted in her suffering a pulmonary embolism (the clot travelled to her lungs), and this proved to be fatal.
This was a tragedy which could have been avoided had Alison been scanned and the DVT picked up. Her doctors failed to take her complaints seriously. Alison Taylor left behind 3 young children.
The hospital and the GP refused to accept responsibility for Alison’s death and defended the case for 7 years.
Our expert team fought hard and eventually secured a 6-figure settlement for Mr Taylor and his 3 children.
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The injury
Alison suffered a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) just days after her baby Yvie was born. She saw her GP and the hospital, and they failed to diagnose the blood clot. She had a pulmonary embolism and died leaving 3 children including a 3 week old baby.
What Happened?
In 2004, Mrs. Taylor gave birth to her second child and subsequently experienced leg pain suspected to be Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). She was treated with Fragmin, but a scan showed no clot, and she recovered without further issues.
In 2009, during her third pregnancy, Mrs. Taylor's medical history noted a suspected DVT. She was referred to the joint Haematology/Obstetric clinic at Leicester Royal Infirmary. On 30th September 2010, a doctor reviewed her notes and concluded she was not at risk of DVT due to the absence of a confirmed DVT history in 2004.
She was discharged without follow-up or thrombophilia screening.
Event Progression:
- Birth of Third Child: On 15th March 2010, Mrs. Taylor gave birth to Yvie Mae. She immediately reported right leg pain, but midwives dismissed her concerns and she was discharged the same day.
- Persistent Leg Pain: Mrs. Taylor continued to suffer from severe right leg pain. Community midwives acknowledged her symptoms but reassured her without taking significant action.
- 17th March 2010: Midwifery records mentioned cramping and a small lump in her right calf, noting improvement over two days.
- 20th March 2010: A midwife observed swelling, tenderness, and lumps in Mrs. Taylor’s right leg and referred her to Leicester Royal Infirmary. A midwife and Doctor assessed her. They said it was musculoskeletal pain and not DVT. They sent Mrs Taylor home with painkillers.
- 24th March 2010: The pain spread to both legs, and Mrs. Taylor consulted her GP, who, after consulting with a senior GP, diagnosed her with cramps and prescribed painkillers.
- 30th March 2010: A health visitor documented worsening pain in Mrs. Taylor’s left leg but took no action.
- 31st March 2010: Mrs. Taylor, unable to walk due to severe pain, saw the GP again. who found no swelling and believed her main concern was constipation from painkillers. He dismissed DVT concerns despite her history.
Concerned about DVT/Pulmonary embolism claim?
While no amount of compensation will ever be enough for your or a family member’s loss and suffering, if you or a loved one has been affected by healthcare negligence, we can help you through the legal process for investigating your concerns against a healthcare professional and your negligence claim if there is one.
We will do this by providing legal representation at an Inquest and for the legal claim, on a no-win-no-fee basis.
Depending on what your needs are we will investigate what happened, help you get some answers, help you secure compensation, help seek justice for you and help to secure your or your loved one’s future.
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The Fatal Incident
On the evening of 31st March 2010, Mrs. Taylor collapsed at home and was unresponsive. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to a pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) at 11 pm, leaving behind her husband and three young children.
Lessons
Mrs. Taylor's death underscores the importance of vigilance in diagnosing and treating postpartum complications.
This case highlights the need for improved protocols and awareness among healthcare professionals to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
The Legal Claim
Mr Taylor and his children were represented by MDS Medical Law specialist team.
A claim was pursued against the GP and the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
Liability was consistently denied until the just before the end of the case.
Damages were eventually agreed to settle the claim after a 7 year long legal battle.
Disclaimer
Whilst our case studies are designed to give an indication of the outcomes that can be achieved in these circumstances, the compensation awarded in individual cases can vary significantly due to a range of factors, including the severity of injury, effects on life expectancy and financial impact, for example. For more information, contact us today.
Our Approach
We will support you, guide you and be your voice throughout.
If you are concerned about the medical treatment that you or a loved one has received, please contact us and one of our specialist team will assist you.
