Critchlow v University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
[2022] EWHC 949 (QB)·2022·Liability decided at trial
A former lorry driver with a history of pulmonary embolism attended A&E and clinics in 2015 with chest pain and calf symptoms; the Trust admitted it should have done a Wells score and imaging at the first visit. The judge found he did not actually have a clot on that date and that the later reduction of his apixaban was not negligent, so the claim failed.
An admitted failure to investigate only leads to compensation if the investigation would have found something. Normal D-dimer results were decisive evidence against a missed clot.