Epsom & St Helier University Hospital Compensation Claim

If you have been injured as a result of medical negligence at the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To speak to an expert about your situation, call Quittance on 0800 612 7456.

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Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust Compensation Claim Case Study

A 10-year-old schoolgirl accepted damages of £570,000 in an out-of-court settlement after doctors failed to treat a respiratory tract infection, causing permanent damage to her trachea and vocal chords.

The girl who was 13 months old at the date of the injury, was born with Down's Syndrome. She was admitted to hospital suffering with a high temperature, vomiting and breathing problems when she was 11 months old. Doctors diagnosed bronchiolitis and attempted, unsuccessfully, to administer antibiotics using an IV drip. Despite the infant's history of vomiting, she was instead given a five-day course of oral antibiotics and discharged from hospital shortly after.

The next day, she was readmitted to hospital. Tests showed that the infection was still present and she was given more antibiotics. She collapsed three days later and transferred to a specialist paediatric unit where she remained for two weeks until her condition stabilised.

Within three days of returning to the Trust's hospital, the claimant was again suffering from a high temperature and rapid breathing. She was again transferred to the specialist unit where she was resuscitated. This time, doctors inserted a tube into her windpipe to help her breathe. The tracheostomy remained in place for three years.

Extent of the injuries

Inserting the tracheostomy at such a young age caused significant speech problems. These problems were exacerbated by the child's Down's Syndrome, since the claimant did not realise that people could not understand her when she spoke.

Medical reports prepared for the case indicated that the claimant's speech was unlikely to improve. The chances of her working or living independently were reduced as a result. It was also accepted that the claimant's communication problems might lead to behavioural difficulties as she got older.

Settlement award

The claimant's parents brought a misdiagnosis compensation claim against the Trust, alleging that their daughter would not have needed the tracheostomy had the original respiratory tract infection been diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

The Trust agreed to pay compensation of £570,000 (£704,324.32 RPI adjusted). According to an estimate by the claimant's solicitor, £40,000 (£49,426.27 RPI adjusted) of this sum was attributable to pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

Making a compensation claim against Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Making a claim for medical negligence can seem overwhelming initially. NHS Trusts are large, complicated organisations. It is vital that you seek out the best advice to establish to chain of events that led to your illness or injury and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Quittance's network of solicitors have extensive experience in taking on NHS Trusts and dealing with complex medical negligence claims in a professional and compassionate way.

To discuss your situation with a claims expert, call Quittance on 0800 612 7456. You can also find out what your claim may be worth using our compensation calculator.

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