Medical Negligence Lawyers Supporting Daniel Klosi’s Parents On World Sepsis Day

A couple whose four-year-old son died of sepsis are campaigning for improved awareness of how to care for neurodivergent children, such as those with autism, who may have the life-threatening condition.

Daniel Klosi was sent home from the Royal Free Hospital in north London three times in the days before he died, with his parents told to give him Calpol.

Medical negligence lawyers representing Daniel's family

Following Daniel’s death, his family, of Kentish Town, Camden, instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his care and secure answers.

Last month a coroner said Daniel, who had autism, attended hospital with “atypical” features of sepsis. However, there was a “profound” lack of recognition in which a septic neurodivergent child can present at hospital. 

Coroner Mary Hassell said medics believed Daniel was alert when he was agitated. She added medical staff needed to “pay even more attention than usual” to parents and their concerns regarding their child’s health. 

Loved ones lobby for Daniel's Rule to help children with autism and other neurodivergent conditions

To mark World Sepsis Day, Daniel’s mum and dad Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi, aged 44 and 50, are now calling for the introduction of Daniel’s Rule in their son’s memory to help improve care for other children with autism and other neurodivergent conditions.

The family are being supported by law firm Irwin Mitchell, which has launched legal action against Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust on their behalf. They also plan to write to the government asking ministers to support their campaign.

Lucy Macklin is the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family.

Expert Opinion

“Sadly, the inquest into Daniel’s death heard worrying evidence regarding his care, including medical staff making assumptions because of his autism.

“Lindita and Kastriot remain heartbroken by their son’s death and the circumstances surrounding it. Understandably the family continue to have a number of concerns about what happened to Daniel. All they want is to ensure all possible issues in Daniel’s care are identified and all lessons are learned so others don’t have to endure what they have.

“Not only is Daniel’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers of sepsis and how early detection, and treatment are key to beating it, it also vividly highlights how neurodivergent children may present with different symptoms and the importance of health professionals fully listening to parents and acting on their concerns.

“We urge all health professional to always suspect sepsis from the outset and start appropriate treatment at the earliest opportunity.

“As we work with the Hospital Trust to resolve the family’s concerns we support their campaign to improve patient safety for neurodivergent children.” Lucy Macklin

Sepsis: Daniel's story

Daniel’s parents took him to A&E on Sunday, 26 March, 2023. He was sent home a couple of hours later. 

On the Thursday night they returned to hospital concerned for Daniel’s breathing. Lindita and Kastriot said they were discharged in the early hours of Friday and advised to give Daniel Calpol and ibuprofen. 

The couple continued to be concerned about Daniel, who they said had stopped eating. They took him to hospital on Saturday, 1 April, but were sent home with the same advice as the day before. 

The couple returned with Daniel at around 4pm. They said after around four hours in A&E, Daniel was admitted. However, his condition deteriorated, and he died in the early hours of Sunday, 2 April. 

While Daniel had shown some signs of sepsis in children – such as a high temperature and vomiting – he did not appear to be lethargic.

The coroner said the consultant who assessed Daniel during his third hospital visit failed to read his medical records and failed to obtain a full history from his parents.  

No blood tests were ordered. If intravenous antibiotics has been given to Daniel during his third visit, he would have survived, the coroner added.

She has since issued a prevention of future deaths order calling on the Royal Free Hospital, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health as well as the Royal College of Emergency Medicine to set out what action they will take to improve care.

Mum Lindita speaks out as she launches Daniel's Rule sepsis care campaign

Lindita, a qualified doctor in her native Albania who is retraining to be a doctor in the UK, said: “To lose Daniel in the way we did will haunt us forever. He was our beloved boy and for him to be taken away so suddenly and cruelly is something we’ll never get over.

“We’ll never get over losing Daniel. Hearing that Daniel could have been saved at a time when we were worried and trying to get the medical staff to listen to our concerns is difficult to accept. 

“The parents of children with conditions such as autism know them best. We know their behaviour, their routines and can speak for them when they may not be able to speak for themselves.

“Our lives will never be the same without Daniel. All the happiness, joy and fun has been sucked out of us and we’re now just existing rather than living. 

“We fear that what happened to Daniel could happen to other children with autism and other conditions unless meaningful action is taken. There needs to be change so other children don’t have to endure what Daniel did.” 

Charity UK Sepsis Trust urge medical professionals to listen to parents

Dr Ron Daniels, founder and joint CEO of the charity UK Sepsis Trust, added: “Because sepsis can arise as a complication of any infection in people of any age, it can be difficult for health professionals to spot. 

“However, years on from the tragic death of William Mead to sepsis in 2014, it is unacceptable that lives are still being lost in cases like Daniel’s, where his parents presented to healthcare multiple times. 

“It is crucial that healthcare professionals recognise that for every patient - but particularly those who are neurodivergent or have a learning disability - the parents or carers know how sick their loved one is better than the doctor or nurse. 

“Our professions need to get much better at listening to parents like Lindita and Kastriot to prevent future avoidable tragedies."

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting families affected by sepsis at our dedicated sepsis claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.