Ipswich woman sues after losing leg

AN Ipswich woman is today suing the town's hospital after a routine knee operation went wrong and she ended up losing a leg.

Karen Flory, who was then 37, and lives near the town centre was admitted to hospital in February 2007 for the removal of inflamed tissue on her right knee.

But problems in managing the blood circulation during surgery forced doctors to amputate her leg above the knee.

She has now launched a legal action against the hospital, alleging that errors during the operation led to the loss of her leg.

Her lawyer, Tom Cook of Kester Cunningham John, said her life had been changed as a result of the operation.

He said: “Karen has been left significantly disabled. She continues to experience pain in her residual right limb as well as phantom limb pains.

“Because she thought she was going into hospital for a straight forward and perfectly safe operation, the shock of what has happened to her has caused her anxiety and depression.

“The hospital has admitted responsibility for the error, but we need now to establish what would be a correct level of damages to compensate her for her loss.”

In correspondence with her lawyers, the hospital has admitted that on the balance of probabilities the delays in restoring her circulation led to the need for amputation.

The letter from the hospital says: “The Trust admits breach of duty in failing to achieve earlier revascularisation of the claimants lower right limb.”

A spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital Trust said: “The Trust has provided a full admission and apology regarding failings in Ms Flory's management leading to her amputation. This admission was made in advance of Court proceedings and the Trust apologised unreservedly for the admitted errors.

“Solicitors for Ms Flory and the Trust are working together to resolve this matter at the earliest opportunity. The Trust hopes the eventual resolution will enable Ms Flory to cope with her disability and maximise her independence. “