We acted on behalf of a 15 year old boy who lost a testicle as a result of a delay in diagnosis. Our client developed acute right sided abdominal and testicular pain. His parents contacted NHS Direct who advised them to take him to A & E. Following a brief examination an infection was diagnosed and he was prescribed antibiotics and discharged. Despite taking the antibiotics his symptoms persisted. He re-attended A & E 7 days later when the testicular torsion was diagnosed. Unfortunately by this stage it was too late and he had to undergo surgery to remove the testicle. Fortunately his fertility was not affected.
The NHS Trust admitted that if appropriate investigations had been performed then the condition would have been diagnosed on the first attendance at A & E. They accepted it was likely that with appropriate surgery the testicle would have been saved. Following this admission we were able to reach a negotiated settlement.