Loss of Taste or Smell - ENT Negligence

Claim For Loss of Taste or Smell – ENT Negligence

Most of us have experienced the frustration of temporarily losing our senses of taste and smell that comes with a bad cold, but for some people who suffer as a result of negligent ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) surgery, that frustration and disability can become permanent.

Both of these senses can be affected in a number of different ways including:

• Anosmia – the total loss of sense of smell
• Hyposmia – a partial loss in the sense of smell
• Hyperosmia – an enhanced sensitivity to odours
• Phantosmia – perceiving smells that aren’t there
• Ageusia – the total loss of sense of taste
• Dysgeusia – a distortion or decrease in the sense of taste
• Dygensia – suffering from a persistent abnormal taste
• Parageusia – perceiving a bad taste in the mouth

The two senses are closely connected and much of the sensation of taste is actually due to smell, as a result if the sense of smell is lost or damaged, then the sense of taste is likely to be significantly reduced also.

Injuries that result in damage to the senses of smell and taste usually occur due to mistakes happening during surgery around the nasal passages, the nerves in the mouth or nose or even the brain itself. In many cases when these senses are damaged there is little likelihood of them returning, and so not only does the patient have to make changes to their day-to-day lives to make up of these losses, there is also an element of danger in that they won’t be able to smell smoke in the case of a fire or be able to tell if food has gone past its best.

These situations can occur whether you are being treated by the NHS or in a private medical practice, as a 51-year-old Chester woman discovered after a botched nose-job at a private clinic. She was left not only with more lumps and bumps in her nose than when she was admitted, but also lost her sense of smell and taste, for which she claimed a five-figure sum in compensation.

Whether it occurred during routine surgery or during a cosmetic procedure, if you or someone you care for has suffered impairment or loss of smell or taste as a result of clinical negligence then you could be eligible to make a claim for compensation. Our highly experienced and friendly solicitors are on hand now to listen to your experience and help you to decide whether making a claim is the right way forward.