We make a difference to our clients' lives by succeeding with their compensation claims.
Harry's Story
Harry is a remarkable young boy who has cerebral palsy as a result of the mismanagement of his birth. Medical staff failed to monitor Harry’s mother correctly during labour which led to Harry being deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period before he was eventually delivered. Harry was born in a very poor condition and required full resuscitation at birth. When Harry was six months old his parents were advised that he had severe developmental delays. He was eventually diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and it became apparent that he had significant cognitive and physical disabilities and would require total care and support all of his life.
Harry’s parents wanted to secure his future and ensure that he has all the appropriate facilities and care provided to him so they came to Pannone for help.
The experienced Medical Negligence team investigated the circumstances surrounding Harry’s birth and the defendant hospital admitted liability before legal proceedings were commenced. The team at Pannone then set about quantifying Harry’s claim to ensure that he and his family got the support and care needed.
A significant amount of compensation was recovered to provide for all of Harry’s future needs. He now has a full care package in place and a case manager to assist him and his family, allowing them to enjoy more time together as a family. He has a full package of aids and equipment to assist with his mobility and give him more freedom outside of the home. He also receives speech and language therapy as well as physiotherapy. A suitable property is being purchased which is already adapted to meet Harry’s needs and accommodate all his aids and equipment. Harry’s future is now secure and both he and his family can enjoy the independence that Pannone has obtained for them.
The Pannone Court of Protection team now help Harry and his parents in the management of his compensation money.
In spite of all his difficulties Harry is a courageous and happy young boy. He recently received a medal after he made it to school on time every day despite both his legs being in a plaster cast for six weeks following an operation.
Vicki's Story
Vicki's story is one of remarkable fortitude in the face of negligence by doctors that could have left her broken both physically and psychologically.
After being diagnosed in 1992 as having a malignant bone tumour in her
right leg, she underwent chemotherapy and extensive surgery, which included the removal of her knee and most of her tibia (shin) and its replacement by a titanium implant. Less than a year later Vicki was advised that the original diagnosis was wrong, that she had never had any form of cancer and that the majority of the medical treatment she received had been totally unnecessary. To make matters even worse, the leg implant caused further problems and Vicki was in constant pain with very limited and restricted mobility. After thinking long and hard about her situation Vicki opted to undergo an above knee amputation.
Vicki contacted Pannone for where the specialist Medical Negligence team moved quickly in to action on her behalf, eventually securing a six figure compensation settlement. This has enabled her to pay for special adaptations at her home, the provision of an artificial limb for life and ongoing physiotherapy costs.
Vicky has, with the help of Pannone's Clinical Negligence team, been able to rebuild her life. She is now married with two children, is a sign language for children specialist (http://www.babiescansign.co.uk/), teaches part time and is about to swim 21 miles (not all at once) to raise money for a local hospice. Her story is remarkable and its one that Pannone are privileged to have played a positive part in.
A Remarkable Young Woman
Claire is a remarkable young woman with an equally remarkable story. She was born in December 1970 after her mother's normal pregnancy. Her labour and delivery were lengthy and she was in a very poor condition at birth and required active resuscitation and special care. She was discharged home at the age of 4 weeks and her parents gradually began to realise, despite the fact this was their first child, that Claire was not making any progress. After a number of medical consultations they eventually saw a Consultant Paediatrician who advised them that Claire had sustained a severe brain injury and her development would be significantly delayed and she would always have very serious problems. Her parents were told 'it was just one of those things'.
Claire has athetoid cerebral palsy. In practical terms, she can do nothing for herself. She is confined to a wheelchair, has involuntary and unco-ordinated movements, is unable to speak and communicates via an alphabet board which she finds a very quick and easy method to use. She requires total care and support in all aspects of her daily living.
In November 1998, on Claire's insistence she went with a friend to Pannone's Manchester office. A letter, which Claire had 'dictated' was handed to one of our medical negligence experts requesting our help in looking at the medical care afforded to her when she was born. The letter explained that Claire had watched a TV news item of a young boy receiving a sum of compensation as a result of injury sustained at birth. Claire wondered if that had happened to her and if she could receive some money. Claire revealed that her main concern was her future and what would happen to her when her parents died. She had heard her parents discussing their Wills and she had begun to worry about what would happen to her when her parents were unable to continue to provide her with all the care and support that she needed.
Pannone began an investigation. Claire's medical records were still available. They were obtained, considered and evidence obtained from independent experts, a consultant obstetrician, a midwife together with a neonatologist and a neuroradiologist who reviewed the MR scans of Claire's brain. The obstetric and midwifery criticisms were that inappropriate and inadequate monitoring of the second stage of Claire's labour had occurred. This was denied by the Defendant hospital.
Legal proceedings were commenced and the action progressed to trial in March 2004. On the third day of trial, Defendant's obstetric expert under cross-examination conceded that the midwife had not followed standard practice regarding the monitoring of the labour in the second stage and the Defendants offered a settlement.
The next year was spent calculating the value of Claire's compensation claim. Care experts were instructed by each party to undertake an assessment of Clare's past, current and future care requirements and joint instructions were sent to experts to assess and advise upon Claire's needs in respect of accommodation, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, aids and appliances together with information and technology.
Ultimately, agreement was reached between the parties that Claire was entitled to recover a substantial sum. The money has been placed into a trust. Claire is a trustee together with her parents and an expert in trust fund matters from Pannone. She is now able to have a 24 hour seven days a week care regime which allows her independence but with appropriate support for her care and other needs. She has also been able to have her bathroom refurbished and purchase a state-of-the art bed to make life that bit more comfortable. Claire has gained her independence and freedom to do what she wants and when she wants to do it.
Claire's determination and independence of thought and spirit which has amongst other things has allowed her to visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, Rally Drive and have many other adventures also resulted in her coming to Pannone and asking for our help. The outcome of her compensation claim has ensured that her future is secure.
Helping You to Build a Better Future
At Pannone we help clients build a better future for themselves. Take Kayla for example. Kayla was left with a brain injury after being starved of oxygen at birth. The doctors treating Kayla should have delivered her much earlier during the labour process and this delay caused significant injuries.
Pannone's number one rated Medical Negligence team worked with Kayla
and her family to secure a substantial compensation settlement and our involvement did not end there. The firm's Private Client team helped Kayla and her family purchase a bungalow and ensure that carers are available to provide support to Kayla and her family.
The bungalow underwent specially designed adaptations which are now complete, including self-contained accommodation for her carer. Kayla is now 11 years old and lives at home with her mum, grandma and uncle.
She's really happy at school and is making great progress, but like all kids, she loves 'hometime' when she can get back to her special bungalow and play with her pet poodles, Lottie and the latest addition, little Ginger. Together with our number one ranked Personal Injury team, Pannone provide a complete range of care and rehabilitation services for individuals like Kayla, who have suffered serious injuries.
Paralympics Dream for Steven
Steven was born prematurely and within 24 hours of his birth he suffered brain damage due to a negligent failure to monitor and observe his condition. A machine at Stockport's Stepping Hill Hospital did not contain a battery and as a result Steven suffered profound asphyxia caused by a period of cardiac arrest. The alarm failed to sound when the arrest began and his deteriorating condition went unobserved for several minutes.
Steven suffers from athetoid quadriplegic cerebral palsy and although he has some ability to walk he is largely dependant on a wheelchair for mobility. His ability to undertake fine manipulative movements is significantly impaired and he has difficulties with his speech.
Pannone's Medical Negligence team secured a substantial compensation settlement for Steven - an award that has made a profound difference to his life.
Steven has been able to buy a house and have it specially adapted to suit his needs. A major feature is the hydrotherapy pool installed in the extension, which helps with the exercises he does to aid freedom of movement. Steven also employed a 'Buddy' for a couple of years which helped him to gain independence, begin to socialise, attend wheelchair sporting events and just participate in everyday activities which most of us take for granted, without always being chaperoned by his parents. Now Steven has learnt to drive and has his own car, which gives him even more independence. The money has given Steven his freedom to act, as far as is possible, as a young man growing up and experiencing all aspects of life.
Thanks in no small measure to his settlement amount, Steven has also been able to pursue his passion for wheelchair racing and follow his dream to compete in the 2012 Paralympics. He has already competed in top events including the Great North Run and has also raced in Europe and America .
Now 20 years old, Steven successfully completed BTEC National and Higher National Diplomas in Sport and Exercise Science and Sports Therapy respectively and is now in his second year of a Bsc Hons degree course in Sports and Exercise Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University .
On finishing the course he wants to concentrate on being a full time athlete but eventually move in to sports development as a career.
Securing Luke’s future
Luke has Cerebral Palsy which was caused by a failure to recognise, during his labour, that he was in difficulties and needed to be delivered as soon as possible. Because of the delay in his delivery his brain was starved of oxygen and damaged.
Pannone’s Medical Negligence team worked for Luke and won a
substantial sum of compensation for him. Money isn’t everything but it can make a big difference. Luke has bought a bungalow which is being adapted to meet all of his needs, with an extra large bathroom and bedroom and a special bath and shower with hoists. He has a specially adapted motor vehicle, lots of equipment and physiotherapy, speech, language and occupational therapy. Luke also has a Case Manager to help him and his family.
Luke’s future is secure and it doesn’t stop there - we continue to help him and his family in our Private Client team with the appointment of a professional Deputy and help with the management of his money.
To arrange a free discussion with a medical negligence solicitor click here or call us on 0800 0382 382. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
