Great Ormond Street Hospital Compensation Claim

If you or your family have been injured as a result of medical negligence at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust you may be entitled to financial compensation. To speak to an expert about your situation, call Quittance on 0800 376 1001.

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Medical negligence claims

Personal injury solicitors in London

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (1999) Case Study

A 13-year-old boy was awarded £14,000 (£22,463.94 RPI adjusted) at a Child Settlement Approval hearing at the Central London County Court for permanent scarring on his back and thigh.

The boy, who was 10 at the date of his injury was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in October 1996 for neurosurgical operation. He underwent further neurosurgery 6 days later in an operation that lasted 4 and a half hours.

On his return from theatre it was noted that there was a large red area of blistering in the inter-scapular area (between his shoulder blades). The claimant complained of pain in the area. The following day he was reviewed by the plastic surgery team who suspected a thermal injury - either from a faulty heating mattress or a faulty diathermy pad - both of which had been used in the previous evening's operation, or most likely, a chemical reaction to the chlorhexidine skin preparation treatment used during the procedure.

The examining doctor described the burn as a 2% superficial dermal burn with blisters.

Due to the claimant's overall serious clinical condition the prescribed treatment was initially conservative. His back was extremely painful and required dressing daily.

After a month the claimant's condition had improved sufficiently for him to be allowed to go home. He continued to be reviewed by both the plastic and neurosurgery teams.

Two months after the operations it was decided that a split skin graft would be necessary, and this was performed that same day under general anaesthetic. Skin from the claimant's inner right thigh was taken and meshed to the wound on his back.

The claimant was discharged the following day and both the wound and the graft healed within 2 months.

After the wound had healed he was left with two dark and pale brown scarred patches on his back. These measured 8cm by 9cm and 10cm by 6cm and were mottled and unpleasant in appearance. The skin was tight and pulled and caused the claimant pain when he bent down or stretched his arms. The scarred areas were also itchy, which disturbed his sleep, and required an application of cream to alleviate the irritation. He also felt discomfort lying on his back.

The graft site on the thigh was also scarred over an area 10cm by 12cm. This area was also itchy and tight, restricting the claimant's ability to run and play football.

Both scarred areas caused the claimant significant embarrassment, making him reluctant to undress in front of school friends.

It was not expected that this embarrassment would lessen as he matured and both scars would increase in size in proportion to the claimant's overall body area.

Further surgery would not improve the scars' appearance.

Compensation Settlement

The claim was settled out of court and the claimant awarded £14,000 (£22,463.94 RPI adjusted) in respect of general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Making a claim for medical or clinical negligence can seem initially overwhelming. Hospital Trusts are large complex organisations. Just finding out what happened can be complicated.

Our panel of solicitors has significant experience in taking on hospital trusts and securing financial compensation for people affected by clinical or medical negligence.

Call us on 0800 376 1001 to discuss your situation with a claims expert or find out what your claim could be worth.