Thursday, 28 January, 2010
Almost 50 years after thalidomide caused hundreds of severe birth defects in the UK, the Minister for Health has issued an official apology to the victims and offered a £20m support packaget to be administered through the Thalidomide Trust. A UK government agency had a role in approving the drug in 1958 for use in the UK.
There are nearly 500 thalidomide survivors in the UK, who each receive £18,000 per year from the Thalidomide Trust, which administers the compensation provided by thalidomide’s manufacturer.
Thalidoide is a sedative-hypnotic and multiple myeloma drug that causes severe birth defects may result if the drug is taken during pregnancy. Thalidomide was sold worldwide from 1957 until 1961, including in Ireland, with up to 20,000 victims globally.
The Irish government has yet to apologise for allowing thalidomide to be distributed in Ireland.
Posted in Medical Negligence Claims, Thalidomide - No Comments »
Monday, 25 January, 2010
Rhiannon Hayman of Bridgend, was awarded a compensation package of about £6.5 million arising out of the significant brain damage she suffered at birth in November 1994. Liability for the medical negligence claim was admitted by Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board, who also gave an unreserved apology, and there was agreement compensation package. Hayman, now 15 years old, was born at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend and suffered a severe lack of oxygen during the procedure. Hayman needs 24-hour care and assistance for the rest of her life.
The settlement is a model for how compensation for injuries that require long term care should be packaged, consisting of a lump sum of more than £2 million and annual payments of between £105,000 to £160,000.
Posted in Child Injury Claims, Hospital Negligence Claims, Medical Negligence Claims - No Comments »
Monday, 11 January, 2010
A former Welsh Guard soldier of Jamaican origin has been awarded over £22,000 in damages for racial abuse. Private Kerry Hylton was serving as as a chef in the Welsh Guards when he left in March 2008. He had served five years of service with the Royal Logistics Corps, apparently without any problems. It was claimed that Hylton suffered regular verbal abuse. It was alleged that Hylton and his family were locked in their army quarters after someone glued their door shut. It was also alleged that Hylton was arrested and assaulted by the Royal Military Police when he made a complaint. The award consisted of £18,500 for injury to feelings, £1,500 for aggravated damages, and £2,202 in interest.
Posted in Discrimination, Whiplash Injury Claims - No Comments »
