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The parents of a teenager whose brain tumour was missed on a scan at a private hospital have secured an ot-of-court compensation settlement – even though the hospital failed to accept liability.

The Evening Standard reports that Talia Angel – now aged 17 – underwent private treatment at the neurology department of the Portland Hospital, but a doctor failed to spot the tumour on a brain scan in 2004.

In 2007 the brain tumour was diagnosed, after an MRI scan showed that the growth would require surgery to remove it.

Re-examination of the earlier scan showed the tumour was present in 2004, despite neuro-radiologist Dr Wendy Taylor reporting “no abnormality”.

Ms Angel underwent surgery in 2007 and 2008 and was treated with Botox injections to reposition her eye following the operations.

It is reported the teenager’s condition is now stable, but Talia is still unable to move her eye properly and also suffers from a cosmetic impairment to her eye.

Her parents Simmone and Barry Angel from Highgate in north London say that their daughter has problems with her peripheral vision and has to move her head when reading words across a page. Ms Angel also needs extra time when taking examinations – and her school materials have to be enlarged for her to be able to read them.

Mrs Angel – a property developer – said:

“I am absolutely horrified that my little girl had a brain tumour which should have been picked up on the first scan back in 2004.

“Talia endured more years of pain and suffering than she really had to go through – having a brain tumour at her age was terrifying.

“We understand that if it had been spotted earlier, then the outcome would have been much better.”

Talia’s parents took legal action against the hospital – and although no liability was formally accepted, an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum has been agreed to help Talia with her rehabilitation.

Mrs Angel added:

“I just hope the medical staff involved learn from this and ensure it cannot happen to others in the future.

“Any young girl cares about how they look – and it can be tough growing up with the issues Talia has had to deal with.”

The Portland Hospital and lawyers for Dr Wendy Taylor declined to comment.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Lawyers – Medical Negligence Claims

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury lawyers and can advise patients who have suffered injury as a result of negligence on how to make no win no fee Medical Negligence Claims, including compensation claims relating to:

• Birth injuries
• Cosmetic surgery gone wrong
• Delays in diagnosis
• Delays in treatment
• Failure to diagnose
• Failure to treat
• Poor medical care
• Prescribing errors
• Surgical errors
• Wrong medical treatment.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Medical Negligence Claims – including GP Negligence Claims – call Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Lawyers on 020 7923 4020.