£3.5 Million Settlement for Missed Neurological Disease

A woman who was left with life-changing disabilities after medical staff missed several opportunities to diagnose a serious neurological condition has secured substantial damages.

She was admitted to hospital in 2015. A stroke was suspected and she underwent a number of brain scans. Although these indicated inflammation rather than a stroke, she was discharged. She returned to hospital the following year and, after further scans were taken, doctors formed the opinion that she had an aggressive brain tumour and decided that she should receive end-of-life care at home.

About a year and a half later she was once again admitted to hospital. Medical staff were surprised that she was still alive and again began to suspect that she had had a stroke. It was only after she and her husband sought legal advice and a medical expert was instructed that she was diagnosed with Neuro-Behçet's disease, a disease which can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal tissue or the vessels supplying blood to them.

Her condition had by then deteriorated significantly. She has severe physical and neurological disabilities and is completely dependent on others for care. Her condition will not improve and her life expectancy has been reduced by 10 years.

A claim was brought against the NHS trusts responsible for her care. The NHS trusts initially conceded only minor aspects of her claim, but after proceedings were commenced, they eventually entered into negotiations which resulted in a £3.5 million settlement. The funds will help pay for the 24-hour care she needs and provide her with a suitably adapted home.