Delayed Treatment following facial fracture

Mr X attended the Accident & Emergency Department with facial injuries after being assaulted. Despite x-ray confirmation that he had sustained fractures to his right cheekbone, no referral to the Oral and Maxillofacial Team was made. Unfortunately this failure promptly to refer Mr X to the appropriate team significantly delayed the treatment he required and as a result he sustained a worse outcome as a result of the delay. He was awarded £19,000.