CHILDREN'S MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CASES (PAEDIATRICS)

Children who are injured by negligent medical treatment are entitled to compensation. The law in this area is no different except that claims for children are brought by an adult for the benefit of the child and Legal Aid is more widely available

A PAEDIATRICS CASE SUCCESS STORY

Master A was 11 years old when he developed a lump in the right side of his neck. Investigations revealed Hodgkin's disease. This was thought to be treatable by chemotherapy. Master A's parents were told that the prognosis was good.

After chemotherapy was commenced Master A developed severe abdominal pain and later died. His parents were given no proper explanation for what, if anything, had gone wrong.

Legal Aid was granted and we obtained expert opinion from a paediatric oncologist. The expert explained that Master A had developed septicaemia after bacteria from his overloaded gut had gained entry to the bloodstream. There had been a delay in recognising the severity of the condition and administering the appropriate antibiotics.

Proceedings were commenced in Court and settlement of the claim was then negotiated to reflect Master A's avoidable pain and suffering and his parents bereavement. The satisfactory conclusion to the claim and the reliable independent explanation helped Master A's parents cope with their grief.