Blake Lapthorn secures settlement for client in clincial
negligence claim against North West London Hospitals NHS Trust
Blake Lapthorn, one of the leading law firms in the UK, is
pleased to announce that its client, Ronak Patel, who was born in
January 1983, has succeeded in a multi-million pound claim for
compensation from Northwick Park Hospital in respect of alleged
negligent mismanagement of his mother's appendicitis when she was
seven months pregnant.
Following his mother's admission to Northwick Park Hospital on 2
November 1982, it was the claimant's case that staff at the
hospital failed to diagnose and treat acute appendicitis in a
timely manner. As a result of this, the appendix ruptured before an
appendicectomy was performed on 4 November 1982. By this time Ronak
had been exposed to the toxic effects of the ruptured appendix and
his mother's infection, which restricted the amount of oxygen
getting to Ronak's brain and caused permanent, catastrophic brain
damage.
As a result of the damage, he failed to thrive and when he was
delivered on 9 January 1983, his growth was restricted and he was
underweight.
It was the claimant's case that if an appendicectomy had been
performed on 2 November, he would not have been damaged.
As a result of the alleged negligence, Ronak suffers from severe
quadriplegic cerebral palsy with significant bulbar muscle
involvement. His motor development has been poor and he cannot
roll, sit unaided or stand. He has severe learning difficulties,
little speech, no useful vision, is epileptic, his general growth
has been poor and he can only take a soft or liquidised diet. He
requires 24-hour care and will never be able to earn his own
living.
The defendant originally offered to settle for 55%. However,
negotiations resulted in an agreement that the claimant would
receive 90% of the full value of his claim for damages. The sum
awarded will be an amount deemed by the court to be necessary to
provide him with the care, accommodation, aids, equipment and
support that he will need for the rest of his life.
This sum will be determined at a later date following expert
assessment of Ronak's needs but is likely to be in excess of £6
million.
Sue Jarvis, a partner at Blake Lapthorn who leads the firm's
Cerebral Palsy team, said: "Ronak's family have cared for him
lovingly throughout his life and this award means that he will be
able to move back to an adapted and fully equipped family home
where professional carers will ensure that he is cared for, for the
rest of his life."
If you are the parent of adults or children with cerebral palsy,
please contact Sue Jarvis, head of Blake Lapthorn's Cerebral Palsy team in
Oxford, on 01865 254 293 or
email her at sue.jarvis@bllaw.co.uk
for a confidential discussion.
