A young woman who was left brain damaged following a wait of over 100 minutes for an ambulance has been awarded a £5million compensation package.
Caren Paterson, a 36-year-old genetic scientist from North London, collapsed at her home in 2007. Her boyfriend dialled 999 but her Islington address was flagged as high risk and ambulance crew waited just 100m away for a police escort.
Five minutes before the police and ambulance teams arrived, Ms Paterson suffered a cardiac arrest, and was left with chronic amnesia, disorientation and confusion. She will never be able to work again and requires 24-hour-care which she will need for the rest of her life.
The settlement against London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, who expressed its “sincere apologies” to the victim, is made up of a £1.4m lump sum and lifelong annual payment.
The court heard how despite two further 999 calls, the ambulance team waited for police to arrive, but there were no officers available at the time. They heard how the address was on the high risk register and as a result, the emergency medical team were told to wait for the police before entering the area.
Following the hearing at the High Court, Ms Paterson’s mother Eleanor said: “My daughter was a successful and ambitious scientist but it is so distressing that all of her aspirations and ambitions have been taken away from her because of her brain injury.
“The thought of an ambulance crew sitting waiting round the corner while my daughter lay in her flat as her condition went from serious to life-threatening, causing irreparable damage to her brain, is still shocking and I hope no-one ever has to go through what we have.”
Philip Havers QC, speaking on behalf of the trust, expressed his “sincere apologies” to Ms Patterson’s family for the shortcomings which led to her suffering brain damage.
Fiona Hedges, a Medical Negligence Solicitor at Russell Worth solicitors, said of the case: “This is a harrowing case that could have been avoided had the ambulance crew acted sooner in treating Ms Patterson.”
Russell Worth solicitors are specialists in providing legal representation for victims of medical negligence and their families. If you or your loved one has suffered from medical negligence in any way, contact our experienced team online here or freephone 0800 028 2060.
