Pulmonary Embolism Claims

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot in the legs, arms or pelvis travels to the lungs and blocks one or more of its arteries. This can lead to reduced oxygen supply to the body, which can cause significant damage to internal organs and can even be fatal in some cases.

In fact, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), it is estimated that more than 2,000 people in the UK die from pulmonary embolisms each year.

If you have suffered from a pulmonary embolism due to medical negligence, or even lost a loved one, you may be entitled to make a pulmonary embolism claim. Speaking to an experienced medical negligence solicitor can quickly establish your eligibility for compensation.

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Table of Contents

• What is a Pulmonary Embolism?
• Can I make a pulmonary embolism claim?
• Who is most at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism?
• Can medical negligence cause pulmonary embolisms?
• How to claim compensation for pulmonary embolism?
• What steps must NHS hospitals take to prevent patients from suffering blood clots?
• Can compression socks help to prevent pulmonary embolisms?
• Can aeroplane travel cause a pulmonary embolism?
• Is there a time limit to make a pulmonary embolism claim?

What is a Pulmonary Embolism?

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious medical condition that arises when a blood clot travels to the lungs and obstructs one or more of the blood vessels. The most common cause of PE is a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

When a blood clot from DVT travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery, it can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the body and cause damage to vital organs. A pulmonary embolism can also lead to heart failure, lung damage and death.

Although PE is usually caused by deep vein thrombosis that travels to the lungs, it can also be caused by other factors, such as:

• Fat embolism – this is when someone breaks a bone, and small bits of fat from the bone marrow travel through the bloodstream to the lungs.
• Air embolism – this is when air bubbles accidentally enter the bloodstream during surgery or other medical treatments.
• Amniotic fluid embolism – this is a serious but rare condition that can occur during pregnancy or childbirth. It happens when the fluid from the amniotic sac, which surrounds the baby in the womb, enters the mother’s bloodstream through a tear in the placenta.
• Clots formed at the end of catheters – this can happen when a catheter is left in place for a long period of time.
• Deep vein thrombosis in other parts of the body – although DVT in the leg is the most common cause of PE, it can also happen when clots form in other body areas and travel to the lungs.

The possible symptoms of pulmonary embolism include chest pains, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. If you suspect you or a loved one may have a pulmonary embolism, it is vital to seek immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.

Can I make a pulmonary embolism claim?

You may be entitled to make a compensation claim if you have experienced a pulmonary embolism due to medical negligence. This could include pulmonary embolisms caused by the failure of medical staff to treat DVT, a misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis.

You may also have a potential pulmonary embolism claim if your PE was caused by a medication incorrectly prescribed by a doctor.

To be eligible to make a successful medical negligence claim, there are specific basic requirements that must be met:

• Duty of care: This requirement is usually straightforward to establish, as all doctors and healthcare professionals owe a duty of care to their patients. This means they are legally obligated to provide medical treatment of a reasonable standard and in line with the accepted medical practices in their field.
• Breach of duty: To have a valid medical negligence claim, the healthcare professional must have breached their duty of care. This means that they failed to provide the required standard of medical care or treatment that would be expected of a reasonably competent professional in that field.
• Causation: The breach of duty must have caused or contributed to you suffering an avoidable injury or illness. In other words, there must be a clear link between the substandard medical care and your injury.
• Injury or illness: To be eligible to make a pulmonary embolism claim, you must have suffered injury or illness due to substandard care or treatment.

In addition to meeting the above requirements, it is important to keep in mind that your claim must be made within the applicable time limit. In most personal injury claims, the time limit is three years from when the medical negligence occurred.

Who is most at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism?

Anyone can develop a pulmonary embolism (PE), but certain groups are generally considered to be at higher risk. Some of the factors that increase the risk of suffering a pulmonary embolism include:

• Age: People over 60 are more likely to develop PE, especially if they are also immobile.
• Immobility: Prolonged periods of immobility, such as during a hospital stay or a long-haul flight, can increase your risk of PE.
• Recent Surgery: People who have recently undergone surgery, especially major surgeries such as hip replacements or cancer surgeries, are at higher risk of developing PE.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as cancer, strokes and heart disease, can increase a person’s risk of developing PE. People with genetic blood disorders such as antiphospholipid syndrome are also at an increased risk.
• Hormonal medications: Women taking hormonal medications, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), are at higher risk of PE.
• Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant or have recently given birth are at higher risk of PE due to the changes in blood clotting that can occur during pregnancy.

Pulmonary embolisms can usually be prevented by early detection and treatment of DVT and by taking appropriate measures to reduce the risk of blood clots, such as staying active and wearing compression stockings.

Can medical negligence cause pulmonary embolisms?

Yes, in some cases, pulmonary embolisms can be caused by medical negligence. This occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the expected standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient.

In the case of PE, medical negligence can occur if a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional fails to diagnose or treat DVT, or if they fail to take appropriate steps to prevent a high-risk patient from suffering a pulmonary embolism.

Examples of medical negligence that could result in a potential pulmonary embolism compensation claim include the following:

• Failing to diagnose a DVT: If a healthcare professional fails to diagnose a DVT, the blood clot can travel to the lungs and cause a PE.
• Failing to treat a DVT: If DVT is not appropriately treated, the blood clot can become larger, increasing the risk of PE.
• Failing to provide prophylaxis: If a doctor fails to provide prophylaxis (such as compression stockings or anticoagulant medication) to a patient who is at high risk of developing a PE, the patient may be more likely to experience a PE.
• Failing to monitor a patient: If a patient who is at high risk of developing a PE is not correctly monitored while in the hospital, vital signs and symptoms of a developing blood clot could be missed.

If you believe that you have suffered a pulmonary embolism as a result of medical negligence, it is important to speak to a medical negligence solicitor. They will be able to advise you on your legal rights and help you claim compensation on a no win no fee basis.

To arrange a free consultation, call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form if you would prefer to receive a call back. The case assessment is completely free and provided without any obligation to proceed.

How to claim compensation for pulmonary embolism?

Making a pulmonary embolism claim due to medical negligence can be a complex and daunting process. So the first step is to seek the advice of an experienced medical negligence solicitor.

Your solicitor will assess the circumstances of your case to determine if you have a valid claim and advise you on the best course of action. During your initial consultation, your solicitor will also answer any questions and explain the steps involved in making a claim and the no win no fee service they offer.

If you have a valid medical negligence claim and you want to proceed, your solicitor will then begin the process of gathering evidence to support your claim. This could include your medical records, witness statements and photographs of any visible injuries.

Once your injury lawyer has gathered all the necessary and available evidence, they will send a letter of claim to the defendant, which sets out the details of your case and the compensation you are claiming.

The defendant will usually have three months to respond to the letter of claim. If they admit liability, your solicitor will then start negotiating a settlement on your behalf. However, your case may proceed to court if they deny liability or a fair compensation award cannot be negotiated.

Although the possibility of going to count may sound scary, keep in mind that less than 5% of claims end up in court. The vast majority are settled before this point, even after court proceedings are issued.

What steps must NHS hospitals take to prevent patients from suffering blood clots?

NHS hospitals have established guidelines for preventing blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). This includes taking the following steps:

• Risk assessments: All patients admitted to hospital should undergo a VTE risk assessment to determine their risk of developing a blood clot.
• Prophylaxis: Patients who are at high risk of VTE should receive prophylaxis, which can include medication to thin the blood, compression stockings, or intermittent pneumatic compression devices.
• Early mobilisation: Where feasible, patients should be encouraged to get up and move around as soon as possible after being admitted to hospital. This can help to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots developing.
• Monitoring: Medical staff should regularly monitor high-risk patients to catch the early signs and symptoms of blood clots.
• Education: Patients should be provided with information about blood clots and how to reduce the risk of developing them while in hospital.
• Audit and review: NHS hospitals are required to regularly audit and review their VTE prevention processes to ensure that they are following best practices and making continuous improvements.

The above steps are in place to help minimise the risk of hospital patients developing blood clots, including pulmonary embolisms. If a hospital fails to follow these steps and you have suffered a pulmonary embolism as a result, you could have a valid claim for compensation.

To discuss your case with an experienced and friendly legal adviser, enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 470 0474.

Can compression socks help to prevent pulmonary embolisms?

Yes, compression socks can help to prevent pulmonary embolisms. Compression socks apply pressure to the legs, which can help to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots forming, which is a precursor to a pulmonary embolism.

Wearing compression socks can be especially beneficial for people at increased risk of developing blood clots, such as those who are immobile for long periods. This is why hospitals will often provide compression socks to patients while they are in the hospital following surgery and other procedures.

They can also benefit people with medical conditions that increase the risk of blood clots, such as heart disease, especially during long-haul flights.

Can aeroplane travel cause a pulmonary embolism?

Yes, travelling on an aeroplane can increase the risk of developing a pulmonary embolism. Prolonged periods of immobility, especially during a long-haul flight, can slow down blood flow and increase the risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis.

Although there is an increased risk, the overall risk of developing PE from air travel remains relatively low. Staying active during the flight by walking around and doing leg exercises, wearing compression stockings, and drinking plenty of fluids are some options that can help minimise the risk of PE on flights.

Is there a time limit to make a pulmonary embolism claim?

Yes, under the Limitation Act 1980, you have three years from the date of an accident or injury to make a personal injury claim. Once this three year time limit has passed, you will no longer be entitled to compensation, regardless of how strong your claim may be.

However, the Limitation Act does provide a few exceptions to the three-year rule. For example:

• If a pulmonary embolism claim is being made on behalf of a child, a parent or legal guardian acting as their litigation friend can claim any point before their 18th birthday. Alternatively, once the child becomes an adult and can take legal action alone, they would have until their 21st birthday.
• If the person that has suffered PE does not have the necessary mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings, another person can claim on their behalf without any time limits being imposed. A person could lack mental capacity due to injuries or pre-existing conditions such as dementia, autism, Down Syndrome or Alzheimer’s.

Whether you are making a claim for yourself or on behalf of somebody else, it is always recommended to discuss your case with a medical negligence solicitor sooner rather than later. This often makes the process of gathering evidence easier and ensures any deadlines are not missed.

To speak to a trained legal adviser about making a pulmonary embolism claim, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into the contact form below. You will receive a no win no fee service if you have a valid claim, which means there are no upfront costs and nothing to pay if you don’t win compensation.

Last edited on 8th Aug 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.