Brigid O’Donnell Solicitors were delighted to achieve fair and appropriate compensation for a client who suffered injuries due to medical negligence during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, commonly referred to as keyhole gallbladder removal surgery -which she required due to her history of abdominal pain.

In most cases, gallbladder surgery is performed as a day case procedure without complication. However, where errors arise during surgery,  the implications can be serious and in some cases, even fatal.

On this occasion,  a clip was applied to my client’s common bile duct, rather than to her cystic duct, during surgery. This is the most common error which arises during gallbladder surgery. The placement of the clip on the wrong duct means that bile can no longer be carried outside of the liver and begins to leak into the abdomen causing pain. In this case, my client was discharged from Hospital despite voicing concerns that she felt severely unwell and that she believed she was jaundiced. Over the following 48 hours, her condition deteriorated and she was subsequently readmitted to Hospital where a MRCP scan revealed the problem.

She was transferred to another Hospital where she required open surgery to repair the bile duct, with associated, unavoidable scarring and ongoing abdominal issues.

Fortunately, with the passage of time the more serious complications are less likely. Regardless, this was a very upsetting and traumatic event for my client which was entirely avoidable.

Despite the fact that a full Defence was filed in the case- meaning that the onus was on my client and experts instructed on her behalf to prove all allegations of wrongdoing- the case settled followed mediation, with the result that a likely stressful and lengthy court appearance was avoided. All legal costs were recovered from the other side.

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to medical negligence, contact Brigid to discuss your concerns. Brigid O’Donnell Solicitor is a native of Cashel, Tipperary. She established Brigid O’Donnell Solicitors, with offices in Clonmel, Tipperary and Cork city in August 2023. She represents clients who have suffered injuries due to accidents, or medical negligence, nationwide. She is happy to facilitate remote consultations or to meet with clients at a time and place convenient to you, outside of office hours if required.