Misdiagnosis of shoulder fracture by A&E

The TSP Clinical Negligence team recently acted for Ms B in her clinical negligence claim. Ms B fell down the stairs and sustained a shoulder injury. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of her local hospital where they x-rayed her shoulder and told her that there was nothing wrong with it. She was sent away and endured 13 days of extreme pain after which Ms B attended her GP because her arm was so painful. Her GP sent her straight back to hospital where they x-rayed the shoulder again and confirmed that she had sustained a severe fracture. When the original x-ray from 13 days earlier was looked at again it became apparent that the fracture was identifiable on this original x-ray but had not been picked up.

Unfortunately, over the 13 day period the fractured shoulder bone had started to heal in mal-union i.e. the bones had healed in the wrong place, leaving her with permanent difficulties. Expert evidence revealed that if the fracture had been identified and properly treated 13 days earlier i.e. directly after the accident had occurred, Ms B’s ongoing shoulder problems would have been significantly reduced.  As a result Ms B experienced ongoing pain and reduced function of her left arm and needed help in the home on a regular basis. She was awarded £75,000.