After a mis-diagnosis that led to a double leg amputation for one Devon schoolgirl, one GP has been successfully sued for nearly £2 million in damages in a medical negligence claim.
According to accident claim experts familiar with the case, ten year old North Devon native Lydia Cross, of Braunton, fell ill when she was two years old. Naturally concerned for her well being, her parents telephoned their GP but were told that because of so-called ‘surgery policy’ the doctor would not make any house calls.
The doctor instead dispensed advice over the telephone under the incorrect assumption that young Lydia was merely suffering from a virus. Unfortunately the young child’s symptoms did not abate, which led her to being given an emergency appointment.
Lydia was subsequently diagnosed with a rare type of meningitis that can cause blood poisoning called haemophilius influenza septicaemia. According to the details of the young girl’s personal injury compensation claim, she began to suffer from not only multiple organ failures but gangrene as well – which necessitated an amputation of each leg just below the knee.
Jodie and Tony Cross, the girl’s parents, claimed that but for the diagnosis delays Lydia’s illness could have been treated properly and cured. They took the GP to London’s High Court, where Lydia was awarded damages of £1.78 million in order to aid in paying for the costs of her ongoing care.
In the wake of the hearing Mrs Cross remarked that Lydia had recently taken part in her school’s sports day thanks to a pair of prosthetic limbs. The two prosthetic legs, which can coast as much as £15,500 for a pair, can now be easily afforded thanks to the substantial compensation award being given to the family.