£2.4 million compensation - delay in diagnosis and treatment of meningitis left boy with cerebral palsy
It has been reported on Lawtel that a nine-year-old boy recently received £2.4 million in compensation as a lump sum, along with annual payments of £130k until the age of 19 and £200k per year thereafter for the rest of his life, after an NHS trust admitted that it was 90 per cent liable for injuries he suffered after his meningitis was not diagnosed and treated quickly.
As a result he developed cerebral palsy and suffered significant learning disabilities and limited cognitive development.
Delayed diagnosis of meningitis
On June 19, 2001, aged just 6 months, he was referred to hospital by his GP with suspected meningitis. At hospital he was diagnosed as having a viral upper respiratory tract infection and was kept in overnight. The next day, a consultant confirmed the diagnosis of a viral respiratory tract infection. However, his condition deteriorated and the day after admission he was diagnosed as suffering from bacterial meningitis. However, antibiotics were only administered early the following day.
It was alleged that the NHS trust was negligent in failing to administer antibiotics on the evening he was admitted or, at the latest, by 14.00 the following day.
Cerebral palsy caused by delayed diagnosis of meningitis
As a result of the delay in diagnosis and treatment he developed cerebral palsy with significant learning disabilities. His cognitive development remained that of a small child and he also suffered physical disabilities. He had behavioural problems and a very short attention span. Whilst he understood very simple commands he was unable to communicate except with a limited number of gestures, movements and sounds. He often became frustrated and bored. He did not sleep well because he fitted and he required care during the night.
The case settled out of Court.
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