£42,000 in Compensation Following Delay in Diagnosis of Testicular Torsion

Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors settled a claim for Mr X arising out of a delay in diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust in 2022.

Mr X presented to the Emergency Department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in 2022. At triage, he reported a sudden onset sharp pain in the left scrotum, associated with swelling and tenderness. He was reviewed by a doctor 30 minutes later and, on examination, it was found that Mr X’s left testicle was swollen and tender. A possible diagnosis of testicular torsion was queried and Mr X was referred to the Specialist Urology doctor on call.

Mr X was seen by the Specialist Urologist 10 minutes later. A further examination took place, however, Mr X was diagnosed with an infection. He was administered medication and discharged home.

Mr X returned to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital five days later with ongoing and worsening left testicular pain. He was admitted and a scan was performed the following day. The scan confirmed that Mr X was suffering with testicular torsion and he was taken to theatre immediately. Unfortunately, in theatre it was found that Mr X’s left testicle was black and dead and had to be removed.

Following receipt of expert evidence, a Letter of Claim was sent to the Defendant. Full admissions were received and the Defendant admitted that, if Mr X had received appropriate care when he initially presented to the Emergency Department, his left testicle could have been saved.

We then proceeded to investigate the value of Mr X’s claim. In particular, we investigated whether there had been any adverse impact on Mr X’s fertility as a result of the Defendant’s negligence. We instructed an expert in Urology in London to complete the fertility tests with Mr X, and then prepare a report. The expert found that Mr X had an underlying varicocele in his remaining right testicle which would increase in size over time and may potentially adversely impact Mr X’s fertility in the future. This would not have been an issue but for the negligence, i.e. if Mr X’s left testicle had not been removed. On this basis, we were able to claim for the costs of private surgery to treat Mr X’s varicocele, to prevent this increasing in size and thus impacting his fertility in the future.

It was also found that Mr X had suffered a psychiatric injury as a result of the Defendant’s negligence. In particular, he experienced anxiety and worry about the possibility of injuring his remaining testicle and therefore avoided activities and sports that he used to enjoy, such as karate, in order to reduce this risk. Following expert advice, we were successful in recovering the costs of a course of therapy to help with Mr X’s psychiatric injury, and also for sperm freezing as a precautionary measure, such that Mr X could resume karate.

We were able to successfully achieve a settlement of £42,000 for Mr X.