June 30th, 2009
An autistic child who alleges that he was locked in a toilet by his carer has secured compensation.
Alex Berry, now 15, was left in the care of Siobhan Quinn in May 2005 as usual. She looked after the youngster in her own home in Dublin.
However, it is claimed that on this occasion, she left the house and secured 11-year-old Alex in a downstairs toilet while she was away.
Alex suffers from severe autism and cannot be left alone. His father Peter alleges that he arrived at Ms Quinn’s house to find her unlocking the toilet and letting Alex – who was in a distressed state – out.
With the assistance of his family, Alex took legal action against Ms Quinn, as well as Northside Home Care Services (her employer) and the Health Service Executive.
Mr Justice John Quirke ruled Ms Quinn’s behaviour to be "scandalous" and "dreadful".
Although the parties being sued did not admit liability for their negligence, it was agreed that Alex should receive a payout of £42,300 to cover the pain and suffering he was caused.
According to the National Autistic Society, over half a million people in the UK have autism, a figure which equates to around one in 100 people.
Tags: 11 Year Old, Alex, Autism, Autistic Child, Carer, Distressed State, Downstairs Toilet, Dublin, Half A Million, Health Service, Mr Justice, National Autistic Society, Negligence, Pain And Suffering, Quirke, Service Executive, Siobhan, Wins, Youngster
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
June 25th, 2009
A woman who lost her husband to the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma could be in line to receive record compensation after suing the companies where he was exposed.
Alex Devoy died only six months after being diagnosed with the disease and not only did Carole Devoy lose a husband, she also lost a carer as she suffers from Parkinson’s Disease.
Ms Devoy was left having to pay professionals over £2,000 a month to look after her as her condition continued to deteriorate.
She took legal action against a Merchant Navy shipbuilder –- for whom her husband worked as a fitter between 1955 and 1959 – and an engineering company, where he worked between 1960 and 1970.
At a high court hearing this month, the companies admitted liability and have agreed to pay Ms Devoy compensation. However, it must now be decided how much she should receive for her loss and the reduction in care that she also suffered.
Asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma typically affect five times as many men as women because they were more likely to be involved in manual work where the fibre was in the air.
Tags: Alex, Asbestos Cancer, Asbestos Diseases, Asbestos Mesothelioma, Asbestos Related Diseases, Cancer Mesothelioma, Carer, Death Case, Devoy, Engineering Company, Fibre, Fitter, Many Men, Merchant Navy, Parkinson S Disease, Record Damages, Shipbuilder, Six Months, Woman
Posted in Personal Injury News | No Comments »
November 11th, 2008
An eight-year-old boy has won a case for compensation in London’s high court after he suffered brain damage at birth.
Tristian Blomfield’s mother Natalie suffered a respiratory arrest prior to the baby’s birth and Tristian suffered permanent brain damage as a result.
He now has cerebral palsy in all four limbs and needs a carer during his waking hours because of his poor motor control.
In a new development, Tristian has now been awarded compensation of £2,237,500, as well as £42,000 a year until he is 19.
He will then receive £105,000 a year for the rest of his life.
The hospital said it would comment on the case in detail at a later date.
According to Scope, one in 400 children born in the UK has cerebral palsy.
If sub-standard care during pregnancy or birth can be proved to have caused cerebral palsy, compensation can be sought to cover the costs of care to ensure an improved quality of life and financial security for the lifetime of the child.
Tags: Blomfield, Brain Damage, Carer, Cerebral Palsy, Financial Security, Lifetime, London, Natalie, Pregnancy, Quality Of Life, Respiratory Arrest, Scope, Waking Hours, Wins
Posted in Clinical Negligence News | No Comments »
