Blake Lapthorn secures £5.8 million settlement for client in
clinical negligence claim against Southampton University Hospitals
NHS Trust
Blake Lapthorn is pleased to announce that it
has secured settlement for the full value of the claim for its
client Perry Evans against Southampton University Hospitals NHS
Trust.
At a hearing at The Royal Courts of Justice in
London on Thursday 25 October 2012, Southampton University
Hospitals NHS Trust admitted negligent treatment that resulted in
Perry Evans suffering severe brain damage a number of weeks after
his birth in 2002. The Court approved an award to provide
care for Perry for the rest of his life valued at just over £5.8
million.
Perry Evans was born in 2002 with anal
stenosis that was not properly treated when he was admitted to
Southampton General Hospital with a bowel obstruction. As a
result of the failure to recognise the problem, Perry's gut
ruptured resulting in severe brain damage that has left him with
severe cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.
Because of weak muscles, Perry has to be fed
by tube and he has significant dysarthria meaning that speech is
difficult for him and he has a very limited vocabulary. He is
registered blind although he has some useful vision and although he
can sit and stand with the assistance of a standing frame, he
cannot roll, crawl or walk.
Perry had to undergo a series of operations to
correct hip dislocation. He is wheelchair bound and will
remain so throughout his life. Perry cannot manipulate
objects with his hands, although he can reach for objects with his
right hand and he suffers from mild epilepsy.
Perry is totally dependent upon his family who
care for him on a full-time basis and there has been praise from
all sides for the loving and tender care that they have given to
him throughout his life, which has resulted in Perry making
considerable progress, particularly in his speech and
communication.
The award, which will be paid to the Court of
Protection and managed under the deputyship of Sue
Jarvis from Blake Lapthorn, comprises a lump sum to
buy suitable accommodation for Perry together with annual payments
for the remainder of his life to purchase the care, therapies, aids
and equipment that he needs. The reason that the family brought the
claim is to ensure that Perry will receive the care he needs when
they are no longer able to look after him.
Sue, the partner from Blake Lapthorn's
Clinical Negligence team who dealt with the
claim on Perry's behalf, said: "I am delighted that Perry has
received such an excellent settlement, particularly bearing in mind
that he has a reduced life expectancy because of the Trust's
negligence. I am pleased that the money will mean his family
will be able to secure the professional assistance that Perry will
need for the rest of his life."
