Damages for Medical Negligence

It saddened me to read about the plight of the parents of little Ellie Challis who lost both her arms and legs to meningitis and are now seeking millions of pounds in damages, and rightly so too.  If Ellie had been correctly diagnosed and seen in time Ellie arms and legs could have saved.  Instead she endured five weeks in a coma battling for her life. Now because of the amputations the parents of Ellie have had to find thousands of pounds for prosthetic arms and legs.  Luckily with fundraising efforts they have managed to afford the treatment so far, but as she grows she will need larger sized prosthetics. 

The hospital was negligent in the initial diagnosis.  They told the parents of Ellie to just give her a spoonful of the kids’ painkiller calpol when she should have been prescribed powerful antibiotics.  It was another eight hours before doctors realised what was really wrong with Ellie.  According to the report in the News of the World newspaper Ellie’s mum Lisa said: “If she’d been treated the first time, she wouldn’t have lost all four limbs-it would have just been the tips of her fingers and her toes.  Her first set of legs cost £20,000 and through massive local fundraising efforts, we have been able to afford the treatment.  But when that runs out, we don’t know what we’ll do.  That’s why were taking legal action - to make sure Ellie will be comfortable for the rest of her life.” This is why I believe it is right for people to sue for damages.  Ellie and her family suffered unnecessarily and children like Ellie will have a fight on there hands for the rest of their lives. 

Most children take daily activities for granted and it is only when something terrible like this happens that we realise how lucky most children are. Making a claim against Doctors can be very stressful but the overall result will be worth it.  Although nothing would be better than Ellie leading a normal life with the use of both her arms and legs.  But unfortunately this is now not possible and she will have to learn to use prosthetic arms and legs for the rest of her life.  I wish the Ellie and her parents the very best and hope they win the millions of pounds of damages they are entitled too.   

Accident Consult understands the need for compassion in cases like these and they are very experienced in dealing with these cases.  If you or your family have suffered as a result of a Doctors wrong diagnosis then you should seriously think about suing for damages.