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Angela's daughter had been taken to A&E on 20 May 2003
at 2213 hours with symptoms of meningitis. She was seen by
one doctor SHO on 21 May at 0130 hours and by another doctor
at 0400 hours, and observations were carried out. She was
discharged with Calpol and instructed to return if her condition
deteriorated. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and she was
taken back to hospital by ambulance, arriving at 0951 hours
with an extensive meningococcal rash. Resuscitation took place,
but she died at 1340 hours.
The hospital admitted at an early stage that the care provided
to Angela's daughter was negligent and if she had been treated
appropriately, she would have survived on the balance of probabilities.
A Claim Form was issued, but not served.
Claims were made by the estate and by Angela and her husband,
who witnessed the events leading to their daughter's death,
for psychiatric injury as secondary victims. Liability for
the psychiatric injuries was denied, but the claim settled
before service of proceedings for £40,000 inclusive
of interest plus reasonable costs. The value of the claim
by the estate was estimated to be about £18,000, so
the settlement clearly incorporated a significant element
for the psychiatric injury claims.
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