Damages for family of graphic designer who died during drug trial

We recovered damages for the family of a 27 year old graphic designer who died during a drugs trial at University College London Hospital (UCLH) in 2007.

Gary Foster, from Waltham Abbey, Essex, received twice the prescribed amount of chemotherapy for testicular cancer.

The 27-year-old suffered lung damage after a computer error in the set-up of the trial, which UCLH described as “an accidental healthcare event”.

His family reached a settlement with the UCLH NHS Trust.

Mark Bowman acted for Gary’s family in the case. He said there was “a systemic failure in the setting up, running and monitoring” of the trial.

“Mr Foster enrolled on the trial in the hope that it would improve his chances of successfully recovering from his testicular cancer.

"University College London Hospital University College London Hospital said steps had been taken to prevent a repeat of the mistake.

“Due to the negligent treatment that he received, one of the very drugs that helped cure his cancer caused irreparable damage to his lungs and slowly killed him.”

Mr Foster, who was a graphic designer, had originally been told he had a 60% likelihood of surviving the disease.

For further information or if you have a drugs trial claim, contact Mark Bowman on 020 7861 4043 or email mark.bowman@ffw.com You can speak to any member of our medical negligence team on freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or complete our short enquiry form.

This case received a lot of press and media interest. It was reported on BBC Evening News and ITV's London Tonight on 22 September. You can read about it in The Times, The Telegraph, BBC.