ChatterBank10 mins ago
Tinnitus Caused By Nurse Perforating My Ear Drum?
One year ago I was attending my GPs clinic to have my ear syringed by the nurse. She syringed harder and harder until I had a sharp pain in my ear and I cried out. After I left the surgery I continued to have pain plus a high pitched ringing in my ear.
The next week I went back to see my GP about the ringing and after examining my ear he declared that I had a perforated ear drum. This has now healed but I am left with Tinnitus which constantly ruins my day and my sleep at night.
Can any member advise me how I stand legally over this?
The next week I went back to see my GP about the ringing and after examining my ear he declared that I had a perforated ear drum. This has now healed but I am left with Tinnitus which constantly ruins my day and my sleep at night.
Can any member advise me how I stand legally over this?
Answers
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I can only comment re the medical aspect.
You would need an E.N.T Consultant to say that the tinnitus was a direct result of the ear syringing and that it was adversely affecting your quality of life.
That would seem to be easy in your case, but from a medical point of view it would be easy for a defense expert witness to dismantle the argument.
There are many aspects...the first is that ear syringing is extremely unlikely to perforate your eardrum.
See a solicitor.
You would need an E.N.T Consultant to say that the tinnitus was a direct result of the ear syringing and that it was adversely affecting your quality of life.
That would seem to be easy in your case, but from a medical point of view it would be easy for a defense expert witness to dismantle the argument.
There are many aspects...the first is that ear syringing is extremely unlikely to perforate your eardrum.
See a solicitor.
I agree with the others, you need to seek legal advice. The GP surgery has a medical indemnity scheme to cover the actions of the staff in the surgery, so they have insurance cover if they are proved negligent.
This doesn't sound right at all - it brings into question the training the nurse had received about ear irrigation. Did the GP not comment at the time as to how the perforation could have arisen? This should have been investigated in the surgery at the time, if there was a risk that the actions of the nurse may have contributed to this.
Don't leave it any longer, see a solicitor.
This doesn't sound right at all - it brings into question the training the nurse had received about ear irrigation. Did the GP not comment at the time as to how the perforation could have arisen? This should have been investigated in the surgery at the time, if there was a risk that the actions of the nurse may have contributed to this.
Don't leave it any longer, see a solicitor.
On a practical note, and aside from the litigation aspect: as a tinnitus sufferer since 1981, I sincerely recommend that you learn to welcome your little singsong friend as it simply will not go away. Making it into a demon will only make you unhappy. I really recommend that you fill your days with activity, realise and work round what the tinnitus does to you eg I can't pick up conversations in busy environments, so I either keep quiet or avoid these situations.
In quiet times (like now) the hum let's me think I'm not all alone - my invisible friend....
Your own frame of mind will make this something that you live with successfully ir that gets you down.
I also think you need to go and create merry hell with your GP practice but be realistic about what you want to be feeling a decade from now about this condition.
In quiet times (like now) the hum let's me think I'm not all alone - my invisible friend....
Your own frame of mind will make this something that you live with successfully ir that gets you down.
I also think you need to go and create merry hell with your GP practice but be realistic about what you want to be feeling a decade from now about this condition.
Thanks for all your suggestions.
It would not have mattered if the tinnitus has gone away which I was hoping for. But now after a year I guess it isn't going to.
I have a good relationship with my surgery and did not wish to take any action up until now when I realise how the occurrence is affecting my life.
I wonder also what sort of compensation might be given before I decide if it is worth while taking action.
It would not have mattered if the tinnitus has gone away which I was hoping for. But now after a year I guess it isn't going to.
I have a good relationship with my surgery and did not wish to take any action up until now when I realise how the occurrence is affecting my life.
I wonder also what sort of compensation might be given before I decide if it is worth while taking action.
I agree with Mosaic, if it's here to stay then distraction is key and acceptance is a large part of that. I find having stereo headphones on is good, I'm lucky enough that I can listen to music at work and it helps shut out background noise and distract me.
As I live in a busy city there is always noise going on around me but I can control it more.
I've had it many years now and ignoring it and not getting worked up about it all the time is something that does help otherwise it will drive you even madder.
As I live in a busy city there is always noise going on around me but I can control it more.
I've had it many years now and ignoring it and not getting worked up about it all the time is something that does help otherwise it will drive you even madder.
Compensation is not a figure someone can throw out on a general website, it would be worked out dependant on personal circumstances, affect and case law and guidelines, it's not that straightforward a process.
Speak to a good quality solicitor (not one of those where there is a blame there is a claim firms) from a good firm who deal with good high quality personal injury work, not just RTA and slip and trip work. They can advice on your own personal circumstances whether you may have a claim, what would need to be proven and possible compensation should you be successful.
Speak to a good quality solicitor (not one of those where there is a blame there is a claim firms) from a good firm who deal with good high quality personal injury work, not just RTA and slip and trip work. They can advice on your own personal circumstances whether you may have a claim, what would need to be proven and possible compensation should you be successful.
Perforated ear drums are common for a variety of causes
After you cried out in paid - the nurse should have had a look
and recorded the results in notes
Failing to do so would be a negligent act but you have to show this caused the injury and I think yo could see that the tinnitus wold not have been caused by failure to check afterwards.
I think you need a lawyer and also if poss a no win no fee contract.
After you cried out in paid - the nurse should have had a look
and recorded the results in notes
Failing to do so would be a negligent act but you have to show this caused the injury and I think yo could see that the tinnitus wold not have been caused by failure to check afterwards.
I think you need a lawyer and also if poss a no win no fee contract.
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