Nockolds Solicitors has settled a high-value compensation claim on behalf of a catastrophically injured child.
The claimant, who is now 13, was the victim of medical negligence when she was sent home from hospital at nine months old – despite suffering from devastating staphylococcal illness.
As a result, she developed septicaemia, suffered a brain injury and required both legs to be amputated.
Liability was admitted shortly before breach of duty was to be tried in 2014. However, causation continued to be an issue in the case. A settlement was agreed one week before a 15-day trial on causation and quantum was due to begin at the High Court in London.
The claim included loss of future earnings (she will likely only ever work on a part-time basis due to her injuries) as well as prosthetics and accommodation. The claimant will require specially adapted single-storey accommodation, complemented by aids and equipment to maximise her independence.
However, she will still need to rely on the assistance of support workers for the rest of her life – with the amount of support needed increasing in later life.
She will receive a lump sum of £4.7 million and annual payments for care and case management, which equate to about £4.3 million over her lifetime.
At a hearing to approve the settlement at the Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Justice Foskett agreed that the compromise negotiated by the claimant’s legal team was a good one – and gave special mention to the claimant’s family, who had dedicated themselves to her rehabilitation.
The team at Nockolds Solicitors was led by Yasmin Ameer, who is ranked in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK as a leading clinical negligence and personal injury practitioner.
Yasmin instructed barristers Bill Braithwaite QC and Chris Gutteridge from Exchange Chambers.