Over £1million for a patient who suffered a permanent bladder injury following negligent mismanagement of her urinary output in hospital

This patient was being treated in the Leicester Royal Infirmary following a routine operation. Her fluid balance sheet was not being updated properly and the details that were being inputted were not being monitored. As a result of this negligent management she developed a gross retention of urine, which damaged the detrusor muscle in her bladder.

The same hospital also mismanaged this patient’s fluid balance several years earlier, during childbirth and it was a combination of both periods of retention that led to the permanent condition form which she now suffers. As a result she now has to self-catheterise multiple times a day, for the rest of her life.

Our team worked to secure over £1 million in compensation for the patient, including overcoming issues with the Limitation Act and an expired limitation period.

What is urinary retention?

Urinary retention means you are unable to fully empty your bladder. It can cause pain, discomfort and an increased risk of infection. If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to the bladder and kidneys.

What are the most common causes of urinary retention?

The most common causes of urinary retention include:

• Surgical errors such as direct injury or nerve damage during surgery
• Post-operative negligence, especially relating to catheterisation
• Mismanagement of urine output and bladder function during pregnancy and in particular during, and immediately after, delivery
• Inappropriate prescription of certain medications
• Failure to diagnose and appropriately treat certain underlying conditions.

Why do I  have to self-catheterise since my hospital admission?

Many patients are not made aware that the reason why they now have to self-catheterise is because there has been a failure to catheterise, or a mismanagement in their fluid balance during their admission.  The nerves and muscles that control the control the proper function of the bladder are sensitive and even a relatively short period of gross retention can lead  to permanent bladder damage in some patients.

As one of the largest and most experienced medical negligence teams in the region, we have significant expertise in successfully claiming compensation in urinary retention and bladder damage cases. Our team has acted for a significant number of patients nationally who have suffered permanent and life changing bladder injuries after a period of urinary retention has been mismanaged, usually during hospital admissions. In bringing claims such as these, we also look to raise awareness of the issue, resulting in an improvement in policies and procedures at the hospitals in question.

If you have been affected by urinary retention or bladder damage, or have any questions about these issues, please get in touch. Our specialist team offers ‘no win, no fee’ agreements on the vast majority of our clinical negligence and personal injury cases.