THE TYPE OF CASE WE DO

£10,000 following a child's death due to failure to identify and treat toxic shock syndrome

W suffered minor burns to his back and was treated by nurses at the community hospital with antiseptic cream. The burns healed well however W developed a rash on his chest, diarrhoea, vomiting, and lethargy. He was taken back to the community hospital his mother reassured and he was discharged. 

W's mother remained concerned and W reattended the community hospital later that day.  W's mother was reassured and W was discharged.

The following day W could not be woken. He was taken to hospital given antibiotics and transferred to a specialist hospital. W died shortly after transfer.

It was argued that W should have been seen by a GP rather than practice nurse.

It was argued that a GP would have identified W's symptoms as due to infection and have prescribed antibiotics and referred to a specialist hospital. That W would have made a full recovery with appropriate treatment.

Liability was denied however the case settled without trial for £10,000