Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis

Claim For Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis

Nobody knows exactly why we have an appendix, but removing it can be done relatively simply; in fact it is one of the most common operations performed in the UK and the success rate is very good.

Appendicitis is often thought to occur as a result of something blocking the entrance to the appendix, such as faeces or a swollen lymph node in the bowel. It is a common condition with around 40,000 people admitted to hospital in the UK each year. Around 1 in 13 people develop the condition during their lifetimes, most commonly between the ages of 10 and 20.

In some people the appendix is found in different areas such as near the pelvis, behind the large intestine, around the small bowel or even near the liver. As a result of this the symptoms of appendicitis can be confused with other conditions such as gastroenteritis, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or even a urine infection. If symptoms aren’t typical then a range of tests can be carried out to identify the cause of the problems. These include blood tests, pregnancy tests (for women) and if needs be an ultrasound scan to see if the appendix is swollen.

Sadly if appendicitis goes undetected it can lead to the appendix bursting and this itself can lead to a range of further issues including blood poisoning.

Cases of misdiagnosis of appendicitis are concerningly frequent: A lady who was sent by her GP to St Mary’s Hospital in London with suspected appendicitis was let down by a team of medical professionals who stated it was certainly not appendicitis. She was sent home with paracetamol but had to return to another hospital the following day to be diagnosed with a now burst appendix. The complications from the misdiagnosis led to a successful claim for a six-figure settlement sum.

Shockingly the misdiagnosis can work the other way around as well: Gail Bailey died whilst waiting nearly three hours for an ambulance after doctors thought she had appendicitis, but in fact she died due to an ectopic pregnancy.

While it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint certain conditions, we rely on doctors and medical professionals to do all in their power to identify symptoms and treat them appropriately. When we are let down by these professionals in many cases the only remedial action is to claim for compensation. If you or someone you care for has suffered as a result of misdiagnosis, you should contact us and let us help you get the pay-out you and your family deserve.