Judgment secured against Frimley Park Hospital - failure to diagnose child's meningitis
Medical negligence lawyer Adrian Desmond from Boyes Turner secured judgment against Frimley Park Hospital in Hampshire following the failure by that hospital to treat meningitis in a boy now aged 12.
The boy had been admitted to the hospital with symptoms suggestive of a pneumococcal meningitis infection. The Doctors responsible for his care failed to diagnose the condition promptly and as a result started anti-biotic therapy too late to avoid the child suffering profound and permanent disability. The boy now suffers intellectual and movement disability, he lacks speech, vision and continence.
The hospital denied liability and filed a defence to the claim. However when the expert reports were due to be exchanged, the hospital admitted that the claim could not be justifiably defended and admitted liability.
Having entered Judgment against the hospital in the High Court, the case can now move forward to be valued with expertise needed from a number of disciplines to do so. In the meantime substantial interim payments will be obtained to ensure that the child's very substantial special needs are met as a matter of urgency and immediate relief given to his mother who has devoted her life to his care.
Lead lawyer on the case, Adrian Desmond commented "Meningitis cases are not easy as the condition is so virulent. They have to be handled with exceptional care and skill. The defendant in this case appears to have changed its mind about defending the case when new expert evidence they received contradicted previous evidence. Very unfortunately however the delay in admitting liability has meant that the assistance that this family has needed was delayed as the case moved through High Court proceedings. Trial was due in May 2010. Especial tribute must be made to the child's devoted mother who at last will receive some genuine assistance with meeting the boy's needs."
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