We helped Lucy* claim compensation after her baby, Jessica*, sustained an eye infection that wasn’t diagnosed and treated quickly enough. Jessica will not regain vision in her right eye, despite undergoing 12 surgeries haven’t resolved the issue.
What happened to Jessica?
Jessica was born premature and under the care of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. While there, Jessica had an eye infection that wasn’t diagnosed or treated quickly enough by medical professionals.
Because of the medical negligence by the hospital, Jessica sustained a corneal ulceration, scarring, and needed a corneal transplant.
Since then, she’s had over 12 operations on her right eye but continues to have problems with her eye. Now aged three, Jessica is preparing for further surgery to stitch her eyelid closed until she is eight or nine years old.
How did Irwin Mitchell help Jessica?
Lucy came to our medical negligence team to make a claim on behalf of her child, Jessica. Taylor Hackett, a solicitor in our Newcastle office, is assisting Lucy with the claim.
Our team, started by sending a letter of notification to the NHS Trust, informing them we’d be investigating Jessica’s care. We invited the Trust to admit liability within 28 days off the back of a critical Patient Safety Investigation Report.
After we received no response within 28 days, our team used an independent expert to examine Jessica’s care.
While our investigation was ongoing, the Trust responded. They admitted liability for the medical negligence Jessica experienced.
With the Trust admitting liability, we’ll be able to help Jessica and her family claim interim payments as and when appropriate. These payments will offer financial support to the family, allowing them to fund and support Jessica needs because of the negligence, until it is possible to settle Jessica’s claim.
An expert advised that Jessica’s claim she be revisited when she’s older. This will allow us to better understand the impacts her injuries have had on her. We can then make sure her compensation fairly reflects her pain and suffering, as well as her future needs.
Expert opinion
On Jessica’s claim, Taylor said: “What happened to Jessica was traumatic for both her and her family. Her injuries were easily avoidable if she’d received the right care.”
“I’m pleased the Trust admitted liability, because Jessica’s family can now focus on supporting Jessica knowing that she will receive compensation for her avoidable injuries.”
*No real names used.
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