Legal News
Preston Teenager Awarded Multi-Million Pound Pay Out (14 October 2011)
Date: 14/10/2011
A teenager who was left paralysed for life after undergoing spinal surgery at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire has been awarded a seven-figure sum in personal injury compensation. 17-year-old Laura May, from Chorley, was awarded the compensation following the operation that was performed in 2005 to correct a curvature of her spine. The operation left her paralysed from the chest down. The financial settlement has been approved by the High Court in London. The teenager is believed to have been awarded around £3 million. The damages are to compensate for Laura’s medical expenses, accommodation and equipment, and future loss of earnings.
Medical negligence specialist, Diane Rostron, was able to prove that Laura’s injuries were the result of medical negligence by her orthopaedic surgeon, Roger Battersby Smith. In 2009, the High Court of Justice in London ruled that Mr. Smith had failed to adopt use of an imaging technique before operating on Laura and had negligently misplaced a screw while carrying out the operation. During the High Court hearing, the court was informed that unlike other centres, the Royal Preston Hospital did not offer Spinal Cord Monitoring. Miss Rostran claimed that the compensation payment represented an end to Laura’s prolonged and considerable battle for justice. Miss Rostran believes that the settlement will provide for Laura’s future and will enable the family to give her the support she requires.
Duncan Lewis’ personal injury department can assist clients pursuing general or specialist personal injury damage claims. In serious cases, the team of personal injury solicitors may be able to help clients to recover damages for future loss of income as well as ongoing and future medical care.