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£2.8m payout for girl who suffered catastrophic brain injury as a result of surgical error (28 January 2014)

Date: 28/01/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, £2.8m payout for girl who suffered catastrophic brain injury as a result of surgical error

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital has apologised to the family of a girl who was left severely brain damaged after two syringes being used in her treatment were mixed up in an operating theatre.

In June 2010, Maisha Najeeb, then aged 10, was undergoing surgery to seal blood vessels which were bleeding. She suffers from a rare condition in which veins and arteries become tangled and blood vessels bleed as a result.

The surgeons were using a syringe filled with medical grade glue to seal the blood vessels, as well as another syringe to inject dye into her brain to monitor blood flow to the brain.

Tragically the two syringes were mixed up in the operating theatre and glue was injected into Maisha’s brain. She was left with catastrophic brain injury and is now confined to a wheelchair and requires 24/7 care.

On Monday (27/01/14), the High Court in London awarded Maisha £2.8 million in compensation as a lump sum, as well as £383,000 every year until she is 19, increasing to £423,000 every year for the rest of her life.

Although Maisha is profoundly disabled, experts say she could live into her sixties.

Maisha’s family say they are devastated by what happened to their daughter. Maisha had undergone the same procedure previously with no problems. The family from Ilford in east London say that her life has been ruined.

“I hope that by bringing this case, lessons will have been learned to avoid this happening to other families,” said her father Sadir Hussain.

“Her life is ruined. All her dreams have been broken.”
Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital has apologised unreservedly for what happened to Maisha, who still receives treatment at the hospital.

However, the hospital trust was unable to comment on whether any staff member had been disciplined as a result of the injuries Maisha sustained.

Maisha’s parents and their efforts to rehabilitate her were praised in court by Neil Block QC, who said:

“'It is probably the most intensive cognitive rehabilitation we have ever seen by a family – and we would wish to acknowledge everything they have done for Maisha and wish them well for the future.

“While money can’t restore what Maisha has lost, we are sure a great burden has been lifted from the family by coming to the settlement we have.

“We can't wind the clock back. We hope there are now systems and procedures in place to ensure such a tragic mistake cannot be made again.”

Judge William Birtles at the High Court in London approved the settlement after the hospital trust admitted liability.

After the hearing Maisha’s father said:
“We are grateful that agreement has been reached with Great Ormond Street to ensure that Maisha’s care needs are met.”
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