Boy Compensated for Delay in Diagnosing Brain Tumour

A settlement has been obtained for a 17-year-old boy who lost the sight in one eye as a result of a delay in diagnosing a brain tumour.

The boy first attended hospital at the age of seven, with symptoms including vomiting and persistent headaches. However, he was not given a definite diagnosis and no further investigation was carried out. He continued to experience symptoms and, several months later, an MRI scan was performed, showing that he had a benign brain tumour. The tumour had grown significantly since he had first attended hospital and, by the time he started treatment, it had caused permanent damage, including the loss of vision in one eye.

A claim was brought against the NHS trust responsible for the hospital, which denied liability and argued that the outcome might have been the same even if he had been diagnosed earlier. Extensive medical evidence was assembled to show how the tumour had grown over time. Information on the likely long-term effects continued to be gathered as the boy underwent treatment.

Shortly before his claim was due to come to trial, a settlement was agreed with the NHS trust. The boy will be able to return to court for additional compensation if he loses the sight in his other eye.