Our client was admitted to hospital in July 2015 complaining of headache, dizziness, and double vision. She also reported memory loss and slurred speech and was unsteady on her feet. Following admission to hospital there was a provisional diagnosis of encephalitis and investigations were carried out. Two days later TB meningitis was queried and, two days after that, a neurologist advised that TB management should be commenced. Antituberculous therapy was commenced the following day.
She developed obstructive hydrocephalus (a blockage preventing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain) and was transferred to a specialist hospital for treatment. She was eventually transferred back to the Defendant Trust’s hospital for rehabilitation and was discharged from hospital almost four months after her original admission.
She has no memory of the time she was in hospital and has continuing symptoms of cognitive impairment, memory problems, double vision, struggling at work, undergoing a personality change, minor hearing difficulties, balance problems and bladder frequency and urgency. She was able to continue working but was prevented from seeking promotion at work.
Our client’s case was that antituberculous therapy and steroids ought to have been commenced the day after admission to hospital and, with earlier treatment, she would have made a much more rapid recovery and would have required much less time in hospital. She may not have developed hydrocephalus at all and her condition on discharge would have been much better than it was. Her residual symptoms would not have prevented her from seeking promotion at work.
A Letter of Claim was sent and a 5-day delay in commencing treatment for TB meningitis was admitted in the Letter of Response, although it was not admitted that the outcome would have been different, with earlier treatment. The case settled, pre-action, for a six-figure sum to cover past losses, future care, neuropsychological treatment and future loss of earnings.
Nigel Spencer-Ley of Farrar’s Building was instructed.
Mala Sidebottom said “I am very pleased that this case settled before issue of proceedings to allow our client piece of mind and to obtain necessary treatment. It would have been helpful if a reasonable offer of settlement had been made when the Letter of Response was received, which is over a year before this case eventually settled”.
Our client said “I am very pleased with the advice and final outcome of my case and want to thank Mala and her colleagues for all the help given”
Find out more about how to make a clinical negligence claim. Alternatively, to speak to our expert clinical negligence team on 020 8334 0319.
