Medical Negligence Claim Made After Life Threatening Illness Was Diagnosed As A Tummy Upset

A 12-year-old girl has received a medical negligence pay out worth £7.4milion after a misdiagnosis caused her to lose her hands and feet.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was just two-years-old when she had to have large parts of all four limbs amputated after she contracted meningococcal septicaemia.

Her legal team made a claim for medical negligence compensation against the South London NHS Trust.

Medical Negligence Compensation : Hospital Trust Denied Liability

They alleged misdiagnosis of her condition as gastroenteritis caused her to lose her hands and feet. Although the trust denied liability for the incident, they did agree to pay her a lump sum of £3,725,000, plus annual payments that will help with the cost of care for the rest of her life.

At London’s High Court Mrs Justice Nicola Davis praised the ‘resourcefulness and pluck’ of the girl after hearing how she plans to compete in the Paralympics and attend university.

Margaret Brown, QC, representing the NHS Trust offered her ‘client’s sympathy to the girl and her family for her injuries’.

The judge stated that she was ‘utterly satisfied’ that the settlement was appropriate. As well as the lump sum payment the girl will receive an annual payment of £57,000, rising to £133,000 when she is older.

Solicitor for the family, Anita Jewitt, stated: “The delay in diagnosis had absolutely devastating, life changing affects. If the correct diagnosis and care had been administered when my client first showed symptoms, this child’s life is likely to be very different now and she’d be able to do all the things 12-year-olds love to do.

“Documents served by the Trust indicated that each dose of antibiotics cost just £23.”

Medical Negligence Compensation: Speak To Specialist Solicitors

Duncan Gibbins are specialist personal injury solicitors and can provide advice on all aspects of claims for compensation. If you would like further information about making a claim for medical negligence compensation speak to a member of our team today.