£150,000 compensation for woman who lost four toes after negligent treatment of ischaemia.

From November 2018 to January 2019, our client repeatedly attended her GP complaining of severe pain, redness and swelling in her left foot.

The GPs failed to carry out appropriate tests or make a referral, despite our client having CREST syndrome which increased her risk of ischaemia. They also failed to recognise that gangrene was developing on her foot.

Eventually, our client contacted the hospital herself and was admitted in January 2019. She was diagnosed with critical limb ischaemia and dry gangrene.

As a result of the ischaemia being left to develop, our client’s big toe, second toe, third toe and half of her fourth toe had to be amputated.

After the loss of three and a half toes, our client was unable to walk without pain and could only walk slowly for a short distance. It was especially painful due to her pre-existing CREST syndrome, as she had little padding on her left foot. She also had difficulty driving.

With her restricted mobility, our client could not go out much and became isolated at home with very little social contact. Her dog was a great comfort to her, but she was not able to walk him very far.

Additionally, our client was unable to work due to her disability and was faced with a substantial loss of earnings and independence. She felt guilty for having to depend on her elderly mother for lifts and financial support.

The events had a significant impact on our client’s mental health, and she was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Our client also required treatment with a podiatrist and bespoke shoes. The fifth toe and remainder of the fourth toe will eventually have to be amputated and, as a result, our client will require prosthetic toes.

The settlement of £150,000 will allow our client to fund her ongoing podiatry care, including prosthetic toes and specially-made shoes.

The money will help to pay for assistance with dog walking, gardening, travel and occupational therapy. Our client will also be able to access CBT therapy for her mental health struggles. She can now rely less on her mother and start to regain some of the independence that she lost due to negligence.