Told Physiotherapy Was Enough
£15,000 for a Missed Shoulder Surgery Referral
A patient with recurring shoulder dislocations was told their MRI scan showed no cause for concern and that physiotherapy was the appropriate treatment.
What happened
Our client suffered recurring shoulder dislocations and was sent for an MRI scan. When the results came back, they were reassured everything was fine and told physiotherapy was the only treatment they needed.
It didn't match their symptoms. They requested a copy of their own medical records, which showed they should have been referred for surgery. After raising it with their GP, their care was transferred to another hospital, where they are now receiving the surgical treatment they should have had months earlier.
What we did
We established two things. First, that the care fell below standard: the MRI findings called for a surgical referral, and reassurance plus physiotherapy was not an adequate response. Second, that the failure caused avoidable harm, the months of additional pain, instability and restriction our client lived through while waiting for treatment that should already have been underway.
The outcome
NJS secured £15,000 in compensation.
Every claim is decided on its own facts and its own medical evidence. Past outcomes are not a guide to what any other claim may achieve.
Can I claim if I eventually received the correct treatment?
Yes. Where the correct treatment was delayed by a failure in your care, the claim is for the harm caused by that delay — the pain, restriction and additional treatment endured in the meantime. Reaching the right destination eventually does not cancel out what happened on the way there.
How do I get a copy of my medical records?
Make a subject access request in writing to your GP surgery or treating hospital. It is normally free, no reason is required, and they should respond within one month. If you would rather not do it yourself, we can request them on your behalf as part of assessing your claim.
Were you told everything was fine when it wasn't?
If your concerns were dismissed, your scan results didn't match your symptoms, or you have since found something in your records you were never told about, we will review it for you free and no obligation and give you a straight answer on whether there is a claim worth pursuing.
Call: 0330 818 7754