Removal of mole from wrong shoulder
Janet was seen at Royal Blackburn Hospital, for removal of a mole on her back. An examination showed one atypical mole on the left shoulder blade, plus a number of lesions which were all entirely benign. The Consultant explained his findings and Janet was happy to have the atypical mole alone removed. A clinical photograph was also arranged as the mole was documented for future reference.
The following month, Janet was seen at the Royal Preston Hospital for a pre-operative check and was admitted. A consent form was completed by a Registrar who described procedure as an excision biopsy of lesions on the right shoulder blade. This was should have been described as the left shoulder blade. Janet was taken to theatre on the same day and given an excision biopsy of the lesion on her right shoulder blade.
As the wrong lesion had been excised, Janet had to undergo a further procedure a month later for excision and biopsy of the lesion on her left hand side.
As a consequence, Janet has been left with an additional scar on her right shoulder blade which she would not have had but for the negligence.
Janet instructed Sharon Williams of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors to act for her in relation to a clinical negligence claim.
Due to the straightforward nature of the allegations, negligence was admitted at an early stage by the Trust and a four figure settlement was agreed.