Venous thromboembolism (VTE) compensation claims
Our medical negligence solicitors secure life-changing compensation settlements for patients who have suffered severe injury and disability from venous thromboembolism (VTE), blood clots, embolisms and thrombosis.
Supporting those affected by negligent failures to prevent, diagnose or treat VTE.
Venous thromboembolism or VTE is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent investigation and treatment. Negligent failure to prevent, diagnose or treat VTE, embolisms or blood clots which block the flow of blood and oxygen to vital organs and tissues of the body can result in death or permanent disability from brain injury, stroke, heart failure, lung damage, and amputation.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading preventable cause of deaths in hospital. VTE and blood clots are also the most common cause of maternal death during pregnancy, birth and postnatally. Most VTEs occur during or after hospital care. VTE, thrombosis and embolisms have severe and lasting consequences for patients and their families. If your injury was caused by medical negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation to recover lost income and pay for therapies, specialist equipment, necessary home adaptations and help with care.
- Nationally recognised medical negligence specialists with decades of experience
- Access to leading medical experts and rehabilitation professionals
- Proven track record of securing life-changing compensation for families
- Dedicated support from initial enquiry through to settlement
- No upfront costs and claim through a no win no fee agreement
Starting your thrombosis and embolism claim
For more than 30 years, Boyes Turner’s medical negligence solicitors have guided injured patients through the claims process to secure the compensation and specialist support that they need to manage their disability and rebuild their lives.
You can contact us for free, confidential advice from a medical negligence solicitor. We will ask you to tell us briefly about your injury and your medical care, and advise you about your time limits and whether we can help you investigate your claim. Once our investigations confirm you have grounds for a claim, we will notify the defendant healthcare provider (usually represented by NHS Resolution) on your behalf and invite them to respond, giving them an opportunity to admit liability (responsibility for your injuries) before court proceedings are issued.
If liability is admitted, we will obtain a judgment from the court and apply for a substantial interim payment to meet your needs arising from your injury and disability. If NHS Resolution deny liability, we will advise you about the best way to proceed with your claim. This may involve issuing court proceedings or inviting NHS Resolution to enter into settlement negotiations or mediation.
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No hidden or upfront costs. Clear, straightforward advice. Nothing to pay unless your claim is successful.
Over 30 years’ experience
We have helped thousands of clients claim compensation.
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VTE, thrombosis and embolism claims FAQs
What is venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
A blood clot which forms in a vein, where it blocks or restricts the flow of blood, is called a venous thrombosis. When part of the blood clot breaks off and moves through the bloodstream to block a blood vessel in another part of the body, this is known as venous thromboembolism or VTE.
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
DVT or deep vein thrombosis is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Deep vein thrombosis or DVT means that a blood clot has formed in a deep vein, such as in the lower leg.
DVTs can sometimes be caused by long periods of immobility, such as sitting for hours on a long-haul flight or extended bed rest in hospital after surgery. Untreated DVT can lead to serious complications, including amputation or pulmonary embolism (PE).
What is pulmonary embolism (PE)?
Pulmonary embolism or PE is another type of VTE, which is caused when the breakaway blood clot causes a partial restriction of the blood flow or complete blockage in one or more of the arteries of the lung. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is often caused by clots which have been carried by the bloodstream from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg.
If PE is diagnosed and treated early, the patient should make a full recovery. Delays in treating PE can lead to death or disability from heart failure, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest, and lung damage (pulmonary infarction).
What is cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST or CVT)?
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST or CVT) is a very rare form of VTE which occurs when a blood clot blocks the large vein which drains blood from the brain. If untreated, CVT can cause brain injury from bleeding (haemorrhage) and swelling within the brain and stroke.
What is air embolism?
Air embolism, also known as gas embolism, is a dangerous condition in which a bubble of air has entered the blood circulation and blocks a vein or artery. Air embolism can be caused during surgical and anaesthetic procedures, dialysis, injections, use of intravenous cannulas or by trauma to the chest.
Air embolism blocks the blood vessel with an air bubble, unlike VTE blockages which are caused by blood clots, but has similar consequences for the patient, including stroke, heart attack, respiratory failure or death.
What kind of medical negligence leads to VTE injury claims?
VTE, thrombosis and embolism injury and medical negligence claims against GPs, emergency services and hospitals often arise from one or more of the following negligent mistakes:
- failure to properly assess the patient’s risk for VTE;
- failing to carry out a full examination or consider the patient’s full medical history;
- failing to recognise signs, symptoms and complications of VTE;
- delayed or incorrect diagnosis and treatment of VTE;
- delayed referral of the patient to hospital;
- medication errors;
- delays, misinterpretation and reporting errors relating to tests, scans, and x-rays;
- ventilation errors;
- injection and cannulation errors;
- monitoring errors;
- surgical and post-operative errors;
- informed consent, safety-netting and follow-up errors;
- failing to follow national guidance.
Our personal injury team can help clients with VTE (such as pulmonary embolism) claims arising from major trauma caused by workplace, RTA or other accidents.
What kind of injuries lead to VTE, thrombosis and embolism injury claims?
Medical negligence claims arising from mistakes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of VTEs, thrombosis and embolisms often involve severe injury to the patient or long-term disability from:
- cardiac arrest and heart failure;
- lung damage and respiratory disability;
- amputation;
- brain injury and stroke;
- PTSD psychological injury;
- fatal injury or maternal death.
Who is at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
VTE affects people of any age, gender, race or ethnicity. Up to 60% of all VTEs are associated with hospital care. Guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) requires hospitals to assess each patient’s individual risk of VTE on their admission to hospital and reassess their risk whenever their clinical condition changes.
The risk of thrombosis is increased by:
- long stays in hospital, long-term bed rest or immobility;
- surgery, especially on the pelvis, abdomen, or hip/knee replacement surgery;
- traumatic injury or major trauma;
- broken bones or injuries to a vein;
- cancer and its treatment;
- during pregnancy, birth and postnatally;
- contraceptives, especially those containing oestrogen (estrogen);
- HRT or hormone replacement therapy;
- family history of blood clots;
- being overweight (obesity);
- dehydration;
- smoking.
What are the risks of VTE in pregnancy?
During and after pregnancy, the mother has a higher risk of developing venous thrombosis than someone of the same age who isn’t pregnant. The risk of pregnancy-related VTE is higher where the mother:
- has had a previous thrombosis;
- has an increased risk of blood clots from a condition called thrombophilia;
- has a family history of venous thrombosis;
- is over 35 years of age;
- is overweight ( BMI over 30);
- has pre-eclampsia;
- has just had a caesarean section;
- lost more than 1000ml (one litre) of blood during childbirth or has had a blood transfusion;
- has had more than two children;
- is immobile for long periods of time;
- is a smoker.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the most common cause of maternal mortality. Reports by MBRRACE-UK and HSIB have suggested that the deaths of many of these mothers could have been avoided with better maternity care.
Maternal death can be caused by VTE at any time during pregnancy, birth and for up to six weeks postnatally. Regular VTE risk assessment is an important part of maternity care. Midwives are required to assess the pregnant mother’s individual risk of VTE at the mother’s first (booking) appointment and at 28 weeks, as well as on admission to hospital at any other time during the pregnancy. A further assessment of the mother’s risk of venous thromboembolism should take place after the birth and on any postnatal readmissions to hospital.
Making a VTE, thrombosis and embolism claim
We understand how daunting it can feel to take the first step. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors are here to guide you through every stage.
Getting in touch
Call us or complete our online enquiry form for free, confidential advice from a specialist VTE, thrombosis and embolism negligence solicitor. We will listen to your concerns, explain your options, and advise whether we can investigate if delays or failures in diagnosis or treatment caused avoidable harm.
Supporting your claim
Our solicitors will review your medical records, instruct independent experts, and investigate whether your VTE, thrombosis or embolism was recognised and treated appropriately. Where negligence is identified, we can build a strong claim and, where appropriate, seek an interim payment to help meet immediate care and rehabilitation needs.
Securing compensation
Contact us
If you would like advice regarding a serious injury or illness affecting you or a loved one, please complete the form and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.
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Our clients receive the highest standards of advice and representation and are always treated with compassion, outstanding care and understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact that life-changing injury can have upon their lives.
- We are nationally acclaimed for our claimant medical negligence expertise and the outstanding results we achieve for our clients.
- We are ranked as leading clinical negligence experts in the Chambers Directory and Legal 500 guides to the legal profession and are accredited for our specialist expertise by the Law Society, AvMA, and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
- Our integrated multidisciplinary team offers our clients a full range of specialist help with compensation, rehabilitation, SEN, deputyship, personal injury trusts and community care.
- We secure maximum compensation in claims for adults and children who have suffered catastrophic injury and severe disability, and provide practical support for their families.
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