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Teenage Arthritis Victim Awarded Millions in Compensation for Late Diagnosis

If you have suffered due to a negligent delay in diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition, an experienced lawyer can ensure that you are compensated fairly. In one such case, a teenager who has been stricken by progressive arthritis since she was a toddler secured multi-million-pound damages from the NHS.

The 17-year-old girl was aged two when she began to suffer from juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which affects every joint in her body and is bound to render her increasingly disabled as she grows older. However, a two-year delay in diagnosing the condition meant that its onset was accelerated by about ten years. As a result, she already requires a wheelchair to get about and her dependency on the care of others has intensified.

A personal injury claim was made on her behalf against the NHS trust that bore responsibility for her care at the relevant time, and a swift admission of liability followed. A settlement was negotiated whereby the trust agreed to settle her claim for £2 million, plus index-linked and tax-free annual payments to cover the costs of her future care. Those payments will steadily increase in line with her need for professional care and will range between £58,195 and £63,400.

In approving the settlement, the High Court noted that the teenager will attain legal capacity to make decisions for herself on her 18th birthday. An intelligent and well-motivated young woman, her devoted family has helped her to fulfil her potential. Despite her increasing disabilities, she hopes to attend university and qualify as a teacher.

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Errors or delays in diagnosis can lead to tragic consequences and, when this is due to the negligence of medical staff, compensation may be warranted. If you or a member of your family has suffered as a result of improper medical treatment, contact us for advice.
Although correct at the time of publication, the contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. Please contact us for the latest legal position.