Lawyers representing an eight-year-old girl who was left tragically brain damaged due to a negligent delay in the diagnosis and treatment of meningitis have achieved a settlement of her damages claim against the NHS worth £5.5 million.
The girl was only a few months old when she was referred to hospital by her GP. Despite her very high temperature, she was discharged and a medical review was only undertaken following her re-admission 11 hours later. The delay had resulted in serious disabilities, including epilepsy and learning difficulties which will blight the rest of her life.
On her behalf, lawyers sued the NHS Trust responsible for the hospital, which admitted liability and issued a public apology. The High Court approved a settlement of her case, which comprised a lump sum of £2,415,000 lump sum plus annual, index-linked and tax-free payments to cover the costs of her care for life. The total compensation package was valued at £5.5 million.
Speaking after the hearing, the girl’s mother said, “We are incredibly relieved that the case has fully settled as my daughter will now have the means to get the care and expert rehabilitation that she needs to help in her everyday life. As a parent, it is a huge relief knowing that she will receive support into her adult life too.”