British grandmother sues Benalmadena hospital after botched surgery on leg

A British woman based in Montejaque, near Ronda, is suing a private hospital in Benalmadena for negligence after she was left “in agony” following an operation on her right leg. 

Sixty-one-year-old Carolyn Emmett, an image consultant, underwent surgery in 2013 after experiencing pain in her right femur, a report on January 21 claims. 

Unbeknown to Mrs Emmett, she was given an epidural during the surgery and has since experienced semi-paralysis in her left leg, which requires her to walk with a stick and has caused depression. 

A mother to three grown-up children and grandmother to two girls, 7 and 11, Mrs Emmett is no stranger to the controversial effects of epidurals, having been left paralysed for 12 hours after she was given one during the birth of her first child. 

Her more recent ordeal left her in “indescribable pain” and unable to walk for two months. A neurologist´s report has confirmed damage to the peroneal nerve, which Mrs Emmett believes was caused by metal leg supports used during the surgery, but the hospital has failed to accept responsibility for this. 

However, the anaesthetist who administered the epidural visited Mrs Emmett after the operation, even bringing her an exercise bike and massage therapist. The medical professional has since paid her €1,200 to compensate for her suffering, with their lawyer and insurers agreeing to pay half of €10,000 damages if the hospital will pay the other half.

Despite these concessions, the hospital insist that Mrs Emmett´s injuries are the product of a previous bone marrow injury and were not caused by their treatment of this condition.

Mrs Emmett denies having any previous injury and expressed her frustration and annoyance at the private hospital continuing to ignore her claims.