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14 Maternity Trusts to be Scrutinised as Part of National Investigation
Kirsty Allen
James Bell has settled an extremely significant claim for ST, a high achieving professional and mother of young children, who suffered a devastating brain injury due to hospital negligence.
ST attended at a hospital Emergency Department because she had been suffering from a headache for several days and was vomiting. The hospital did not admit her, suggesting that she had a migraine. She was given fluids and pain relief and was sent home. She then returned to hospital within less than 24 hours as she was feeling worse. At this point she was admitted and a CT scan was undertaking revealing a subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleed on the brain). A further diagnosis of a Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) was subsequently made. This occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses and prevents blood from draining out of the brain. Pressure subsequently builds up in the blood vessels which can lead to swelling and a haemorrhage, as occurred in this case.
ST had to undergo a decompressive hemicraniectomy (removal of one half of the skull) due to the pressure build up inside the skull, which can be fatal. She spent a long period in a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. She later required further surgery (cranioplasty) to insert a plate to replace the missing portion of her skull.
It was argued that the hospital should have arranged an urgent CT scan when ST first attended which would have led to a diagnosis of CVST. ST would then have been prescribed anticoagulation (a medicine to help prevent blood clots) and made an almost complete recovery.
The case was initially conducted by other solicitors and an agreement was made that the Defendant hospital Trust would pay 90 percent of the compensation awarded by the Court or agreed between the parties.
James Bell and his team set about investigating how much compensation could be claimed.
ST has been left with incredibly significant injuries which include problems with speech, mobility, sight, memory, post-traumatic epilepsy and psychological difficulties. She is unable to work in any capacity.
Expert evidence was required in number of fields including neurology, neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, care, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, oral surgery, assistive technology and pension losses.
Following negotiations, the case settled for over £3,500,000, representing an excellent outcome for ST which it is hoped will allow her to look to a positive future.
More information about brain injury cases can be found on our brain injury claims page and on our subarachnoid haemorrhage claims page.