Pryers solicitors of York have recently won a case involving brain damage to an adult which occurred as a result of anaesthetic negligence. The client in this case had gone in for ECT treatment but unfortunately through the course of that treatment and as a result of him vomiting and then ingesting the contents, his windpipe became blocked and he suffered brain damage as a result of this. The defendant eventually put forward offers to settle, starting at £100,000. This led to negotiations and to the settlement as below. The settlement facilitated purchase of new accommodation which was adapted to the client’s needs, as well as provision of future care. It is thought to be the largest settlement arising from ECT treatment in this country. The case was settled for £500,000.
Large settlement for cerebral palsy child
April 19th, 2010
Here at Pryers solicitors in York we have recently been involved with a case involving a child with cerebral palsy. Normally cerebral palsy cases are brought arising from oxygen starvation in the course of a birth but in this case the allegation was that because of the child’s father’s hereditary condition, the child should have had a full blood transfusion immediately after birth. Failure to carry out the transfusion caused the child to develop jaundice and brain damage. The case was eventually conceded by the Defendant NHS Trust and a settlement was agreed at a round table meeting which included a substantial payment in respect of the damages for the brain damage, future care, aids and equipment and loss of earnings. Additionally by the time of the settlement the family had moved to new accommodation allowing a lift to be installed.
Mother seeking £2.5m in dental negligence claim
November 11th, 2009
A mother is suing for dental negligence after her son was left with brain damage following a visit to the dentist.
Anne Marie Gallacher is seeking £2.5 million in compensation from the Greater Glasgow Health Board over what happened to her son Ryan, reports the Scotsman.
In March 2002, when he was six, Ryan was put under general anaesthetic in order to have a number of teeth removed.
But his heart stopped during the operation and, although he was resuscitated, he was left with “significant intellectual impairment”.
The dental negligence claim made by the Gallachers, of Old Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire, claims that blame for the incident lies with the anaesthetist Dr Alexander Colquhoun.
Dr Colquhoun, who had worked part-time at the Townhead dental clinic in addition to his role as a consultant at Glasgow Royal Infirmary when the incident occurred, denies he was to blame for Ryan’s brain damage.
The case continues.
Earlier this week, Charlotte Gillespie, of Ramsbottom, was awarded medical negligence compensation after she suffered brain damage following errors made during her birth, reported the Bury Times.
Girl with brain damage wins medical negligence compensation
November 10th, 2009
A teenage girl who was left severely disabled after complications during her birth has been awarded medical negligence compensation.
Charlotte Gillespie, of Ramsbottom, now suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and obsessive compulsive disorder as a result of errors made during her delivery, reports the Bury Times.
Her mother Marilyn was made to walk to theatre during the birth and it was the contention of the Gillespie family that Charlotte should have been delivered by Caesarean section.
The family received an undisclosed amount in medical negligence compensation from Bury Health Care NHS Trust over the delivery at Fairfield Hospital in 1996.
Marilyn Gillespie said: "We can now provide her with all the medical care she needs for the rest of her life."
Earlier this month, 11-year-old Grant Hembry was awarded more than £270,000 in medical negligence compensation after blunders during his birth resulted in nerve damage that has left him unable to use his right shoulder, arm and hand. 
Disabled boy wins clinical negligence claim
November 9th, 2009
A boy has been awarded more than £250,000 in a clinical negligence claim against Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
Grant Hembry of Plymouth, who is now 11, was awarded the money after a medical blunder during his birth left him with shoulder dystocia, a condition that meant he was unable to use his right shoulder, arm and hand because of nerve damage.
He was awarded £270,795, including £60,000 for the pain and suffering caused by the incident, after the Trust admitted clinical negligence, reports The Herald.
A spokesman for the Trust said: "We were extremely disappointed by this [incident] and apologise for it as we strive to provide the highest possible standard of care to all of our patients."
Last month, a ten-year-old boy was awarded £7.1 million in a clinical negligence claim against Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust.
Harry Snowdon of Oxfordshire suffered brain damage as a result of complications with his birth.
