Upper gastrointestinal bleeding involves bleeding from the oesophagus, stomach or first part of the small intestine. Symptoms can include vomiting blood or passing dark, sticky stools. Severe acute bleeding can require urgent hospital treatment.
Cases involving gastrointestinal bleeding can raise complex medico-legal questions. These may relate to recognition, risk assessment, resuscitation, diagnosis and timing of endoscopy. Experts may also consider treatment, re-bleeding and subsequent outcomes. NICE recommends immediate endoscopy after resuscitation for unstable patients with severe bleeding.
Our gastroenterology and upper gastrointestinal expert witnesses can provide independent, evidence-based medico-legal opinions and reports. Experts may review medical records, endoscopy findings, laboratory results and treatment documentation. They can also assess the clinical management and consequences of the bleeding.
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