Littlehampton woman loses hip operation court claim

Jane Dove, 43, said she first became aware of problems with her left hip when she woke from the private operation at Goring Hall Hospital in December, 2006 and experienced a “heavy and painful clonking” in the joint.

After the operation, Mrs Dove, of White Horses Way, Littlehampton, needed extensive and painful corrective surgery and is now plagued by lingering pain and lack of mobility.

Matters came to a head when she dislocated her hip while painting her toenails, London’s High Court heard last week. She had needed the hip surgery at an unusually young age after developing early onset arthritis.

Mrs Dove, who now uses crutches, claimed six-figure damages from surgeon, Andrew Jarvis, alleging negligence in “malpositioning” the artificial joint during the surgery.

Mr Jarvis denied the procedure was “sub-standard” but conceded that it was an “imperfect operation”.

Deputy Judge James Goudie QC today declined to blame Mr Jarvis for Mrs Dove’s predicament or to find him negligent.

“No one could fail to have great sympathy for Mrs Dove in her plight,” said the judge, but added: “In my judgment negligence on the part of Mr Jarvis is required for liability, but is not demonstrated”.