Paul McNeil was instructed by the
mother of Michael in connection with a claim arising out of
development and management of a necrotising tissue infection of his
face.
At the age of four months, Michael was admitted to hospital
with signs of lethargy and dehydration. He was of low weight and
had non specific immuno-deficiency. He remained in hospital
for twelve days where he had naso-gastric feeds.
He was followed up as a out-patient
with “a rather odd eczema”. By February 1995 the
eczema was infected and Michael still remained lethargic and of low
weight. Blood tests indicated he had a significant neutropenia.
Subsequently Michael became
increasingly unwell with a chest infection, vomiting and diarrhoea
and on 5 March was referred to the hospital.
It was noted that Michael was seeing
the dermatologist as an out-patient. Antibiotics were stopped and
he was discharged home.
Michael re-attended on 8 March where
he was noted to be dehydrated and weak with a high temperature. He
was almost moribund and the crash team was called to resuscitate
him.
Following discussions with
haematologist Michael was treated as a febrile neutropenic and
prescribed specific antibiotics.
Nevertheless, Michael remained very
ill and by the 16 March the condition of his face had
deteriorated there being extensive necrotic lesions involving the
centre of his face, both eyes, nasal bridge and cheeks. He was
transferred to Great Ormond Street on 18 March 1995.
Although Michael continued to make
improvement he was left with a very severe disability of his face.
We instructed a microbiologist and paediatrician who confirmed our
initial advice that the hospital were negligent in failing to take
Michael’s condition much more seriously at the beginning.
We alleged that if appropriate
treatment had been given the infection of the facial soft tissue
would have been controlled and would not have progressed in the
necrosis.
The action was strenuously denied by
the hospital primarily on the grounds that earlier treatment would
have made little difference to the outcome. The action was finally
settled (and received approval of the Court) for £200,000 in
May 2002.
For further information or if you have
a paediatrics negligence claim, call
Paul McNeil on 020 7861
4019
or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com.
You can discuss your paediatrics negligence claim with any member of
our medical negligence team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.