Landmark Brain Injury Case Success for Potter Rees
26/9/2008
In the case of Anne Theresa Manchester v Morcambe Bay NHS Primary Care Trust, PotterRees represented the Claimant in this serious Clinical Negligence matter obtaining extensive damages for this type of case.
Mrs Manchester was a 79 year old woman who had sustained brain injuries as a result of walking in front of a vehicle. She was a voluntary inpatient at the psychiatric ward of the Morcambe Bay Hospital following the onset of severe depression which had not responded to medication. Whilst she was an inpatient she developed delusions and was known to have frequently absconded from her ward. On the 10th December 2001 she was allowed to leave the ward unescorted and walked out in front of the vehicle.
She suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and was left with a cognitive impairment, which combined with her age and pre existing deafness, affected the Claimant to a greater extent that might otherwise have been anticipated. This was made worse by seizure activity in 2005 which developed to other complications and ultimately required 24 hour care and two carers for all transfers.
The Trust was found liable and Mrs Manchester was awarded a lump sum and periodical payments which had an overall value for her in excess of £1.6 million.
Helen Dolan - PotterRees
