Vince suffers numbness and a weakness in his leg after the accident
A Unite member has been awarded £37,000 after a misdiagnosis caused him to develop a painful muscle syndrome.
Vince Rosato, 54, was at the Salisbury District Hospital following a colorectal operation when he complained of significant pain in his right calf muscle. An anaesthetist suggested that it was deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and advised he seek treatment the next day.
The pain continued overnight and the next morning Vince was examined by a surgeon who diagnosed him with acute compartment syndrome – a painful and potentially serious condition caused by swelling in the space between muscle tissue.
Doctors performed an emergency procedure to reduce the swelling and restore the blood supply to his limb, however, the overnight delay meant this was only partially successful.
“Thankfully I’ve been able to return to work and get on with my life but, if it wasn’t for the support of, and compensation secured by, Unite Legal Services and Thompsons, I have no idea how I would have sustained myself financially through that time.”Vince Rosato Thompsons Solicitors’ Client
Vince continues to suffer numbness, clawing of his toes and a weakness in his leg. He had six months off work before returning on restricted duty for more than a year. The condition has prevented him from continuing with his favourite hobby, running.
Vince contacted Unite Legal Services and instructed medical negligence specialists Thompsons Solicitors to investigate a claim.
He said: “Once my planned operation had finished I thought that would be that and I would be back on my feet in no time. I knew something was wrong when my calf started really hurting and by the next morning I was in agony.
“To discover I had developed a serious condition that went unrecognised, despite my repeated complaints, is infuriating. Had it been left any longer, who knows how much worse it could have got. Thankfully I’ve been able to return to work and get on with my life but, if it wasn’t for the support of, and compensation secured by, Unite Legal Services and Thompsons, I have no idea how I would have sustained myself financially through that time.”
Stuart Davis, Unite the union regional legal officer in the south west, said: “While we’re glad to see that Vince is working again, the injuries he sustained as a result of the compartment syndrome will likely affect him for years to come, which is unacceptable considering that it was caused by an avoidable error.
“Unite Legal Services proudly works in conjunction with Thompsons Solicitors, to ensure our members are fairly represented and receive 100 per cent of the compensation when they are mistreated or misdiagnosed in hospital.”
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