A woman who went to hospital after she stubbed her toe, but ended up contracting sepsis and losing her leg, is suing the hospital.
Sue Ruck injured the big toe on her right foot, while at home, in July last year.
Two weeks later the wound began to weep and become painful, so Sue went to see her GP who told her to go to hospital, the Mail Online reports.
She was told the injury had become infected and spent three-nights in hospital, before being sent home. However, she is then reported to have developed sepsis - a condition which can be fatal - following the infection.
Credit: Solent News
Advert
Her wounds got worse and she was urgently readmitted to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where she had to have surgery to remove the toe.
Just hours later she was then told the infection was so bad she would need to have the leg amputated below the knee.
Sue now needs to use a wheelchair or prosthetic leg. Credit: Solent News
Advert
Sue, who has diabetes, is now taking action against Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, claiming there was a 'huge oversight' in the care she received.
She told the Mail Online: "It is hard to comprehend how a stubbed toe - something I'm sure most people have done on more than one occasion - could result in such a catastrophic injury.
Credit: Solent News
Advert
"To say I am devastated is an obvious understatement, and I'm bitterly disappointed at what I feel was a huge oversight in my care."
Sue said she has lost of her independence due to amputation,
as she now relies on a wheelchair or prosthetic leg to get around.
She added: "No one should lose their leg because of a stubbed toe in this day and age. I just want lessons to be learnt so it can't happen to anyone else."
A spokesman for Portsmouth Hospitals Trust told the paper: "The quality of patient care is the highest priority of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
"However, we are unable to comment on any pending legal cases due to patient confidentiality."
Featured Image Credit: Solent News