Little girl paid out for £39m after losing all her limbs

An ‘extraordinarily brave’ little girl who had all of her limbs amputated after being wrongfully dismissed is set to receive around £39million.

The child, who cannot be identified, was taken to Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey with a high fever, drowsiness and vomiting.

She showed “red flags for meningitis and sepsis,” but doctors still discharged her after giving her acetaminophen.

But a few hours later, her parents took her back to the emergency room with a rash and fever, and she was diagnosed with meningococcal sepsis.

She was then transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at another hospital, where she suffered from multiple organ failure.

In the end, the young woman had to have both legs amputated above the knee and her arms above the elbow.

In addition, she had to undergo multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, to treat the infection.

Her family brought a lawsuit against the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, arguing that had she been treated urgently with antibiotics she would not have been as ill and the amputations would have been avoided.

The trust admitted liability and settled with the family in the High Court in London.

Judge Caspar Glyn KC said on Friday he would “without hesitation” approve the settlement of around £39million – part in a lump sum and the rest in annual payments for the rest of their lives.

Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, who represents the girl and her family, said: “She is an exceptionally brave little girl who manages to do very well academically at school.”

Deborah Nadel of the same law firm said: “This child’s injuries and serious disabilities were completely preventable with the right care.

“All the red flags for meningitis and sepsis were visible to the doctors. There are specific protocols for treating these diseases to protect patients and doctors, but they only work if followed.

“The settlement will help provide the girl with the equipment, therapy and tools she needs and help her live her fullest life despite what happened to her.” She is brave and determined.”

The court heard part of a letter that Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Neil Dardis had sent to the girl’s parents.

In the letter, Mr Dardis apologized, adding that her care was “below the standard that (the girl) could expect” and that she should not have been fired.

Bradley Martin KC, representing the Trust, added: “There is no amount of money that can really compensate (them) for their injuries.

“She will have access to the care and technology she needs.”

Mr Martin later paid tribute to the girl’s “extraordinary spirit and determination”, adding: “It’s quite remarkable that she has such potential despite such devastating injuries.”

Judge Glyn said, “Money can’t bring back who your daughter was, but it can secure her future.”

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