A 43-year-old woman received over £28,000 in compensation for PTSD and a specific phobia of hospitals after she woke up from anaesthetic during a surgery to remove gallstones
In February 2017, the Claimant underwent a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). She was given general anaesthetic and lost consciousness. However, she later awoke whilst in the operating theatre as the surgery was ongoing. She was unable to move or speak but became extremely panicked and suffered from tachycardia and hypertension - her heart raced and her blood pressure rose.
She heard doctors discuss her rising heart rate and whether beta-blockers should be administered to lower her heart rate, they also discussed whether the operation should proceed. Someone lifted the eye mask from her and lifted her eyelids but did not recognise that she was conscious. It was only after the intubation tube was removed, when the Claimant informed medical staff that she had been awake during the operating theatre.
The Claimant brought an action against the Defendant Hospital because there was a failure to adequately manage the anaesthesia during surgery. There was also a failure to identify that the onset of tachycardia and hypertension was as a result of insufficient anaesthetic and to then subsequently deepen the anaesthetic in response.
The Defendant admitted liability. The Claimant suffered psychological injury, which included post-traumatic stress disorder. She had intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and night terrors. She also suffered with a specific phobia of Hospitals. The Claimant has been advised to undergo CBT and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing.
