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Top Solicitor Voices Concern over Meningitis Deaths
A top clinical negligence solicitor from Manchester law firm Pannone LLP has voiced concerns over the number of cases of meningitis that are failing to be spotted by GP’s, doctors and A&E staff in UK hospitals.
Emma Holt, a Partner and Head of the Clinical Negligence department at Pannone, says her fears were aroused this week by the tragic death of 20 year old Natalie Naylor, who died as a result of sub-standard treatment afforded to her by Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust in Surrey. On arrival at hospital the triage nurse failed to categorise Natalie’s symptoms of a severe headache, a stiff neck and a rash on her legs, as a need for immediate assessment. Thereafter, three Accident and Emergency doctors went on to dismiss the possibility that she was suffering from meningitis. Less than 24 hours later, Natalie suffered brain stem damage and her life support machine was switched off. Had Natalie received proper treatment and a timely diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis B made then she would have received antibiotics and her life would have been saved.
Dramatic consequences
Emma Holt said, "Clinical mistakes are the exception but when they do happen, they have dramatic emotional and physical consequences on both the patient and their families. Those affected want answers to the questions about what went wrong with the treatment that they or their loved one received at the treating hospital or clinic. We can help in getting some answers to these questions, getting someone to take responsibility for their actions and seek reassurances that something like this will not happen to another family.
At Pannone, our clinical negligence solicitors conduct full and independent investigations into what happened and seek compensation if appropriate. Pursuing a complaint for clinical negligence can be complex, time consuming and distressing. We can provide help and support on an ongoing basis and do whatever we can to ease the burden."
Pannone currently has a number of cases involving meningitis and septicaemia, which include delay in diagnosis and failure to provide prompt and adequate treatment once the illness has been diagnosed. Emma Holt continued, "We have already successfully concluded a £1.3 million settlement for a 3 year old child who suffered a permanent brain injury following delay by a GP in diagnosing meningitis, a £1.5 million settlement for a young woman who suffered a below knee amputation and the loss of fingers due to a failure by her GP to act promptly and refer her for specialist treatment which caused a delay in the diagnosis."
Seek specialist advice
Emma concluded, "My advice to anyone faced with the terrible situation of being affected themselves, or having a loved one affected by negligence in treatment, is to seek specialist legal advice as promptly as possible. Ultimately, our aim is to help our clients address the issues which are important to them, offer them help and support throughout the course of a case and make difficult situations easier to manage with specialist advise and guidance."
Emma Holt can be reached by calling Freephone 0800 0382 382, for more information please visit Clinical Negligence Solicitors at Pannone LLP.