She had to undergo painful skin grafts.
A student has won an out of court settlement after a routine operation went horribly wrong.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, got surgery for a painful bunion on her big toe.
But staff left medical dressing on her foot for far too long – causing her skin tissue to die.
She has since had to undergo painful skin grafts as a result.
The woman, who was studying at university and working at a nursery at the time, has now been awarded £75,000 in damages by Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.
The then-22-year-old says she was told by doctors she would ‘always have difficulty wearing normal footwear’ such as high heels.
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The woman underwent her first operation at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.
She told Hull Live: ‘I was excited to have the operation as I thought I would be able to get through a working day pain free.
‘I thought it would better my life and I would be able to wear a range of footwear, but afterwards things changed dramatically, I was scared I would actually lose my foot as the skin was so damaged.
‘I knew something was seriously wrong with the doctor’s reaction when the dressing was removed. He got several staff into the room to look at my foot, something wasn’t right.’
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust admitted breach of duty and the woman was awarded damages of £75,000 in an out of court settlement.
As a result of the bungled surgery, she had been forced to travel to university lectures by wheelchair.
She says the severe scarring on her foot, arm and thigh has also impacted her confidence and ability to form new relationships.
Michelle Tebbutt, associate solicitor in medical negligence at Hudgell Solicitors, said her client was now ‘bravely getting on with her life’.
She said: ‘Her scarring is rated as very severe; the skin graft continues to cause her functional problems and she will likely always have difficulty wearing normal footwear.
‘Our client will also require additional treatment for her right arm and foot. She still suffers with skin necrosis, she has limited flexibility of her toe and will never be able to wear high heeled shoes.
‘We welcome the award, but our client will have to live with the scarring and emotional effects for the rest of her life.
‘She is a woman who is bravely getting on with her life and continuously achieving despite the setbacks and it has been an honour to represent her.’
Hull University Teaching Hospital declined to comment when contacted by Metro.co.uk.
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