In 2017 our client developed a pain in her neck which radiated into her shoulders, back and arms. This quickly persisted to increased weakness and reduced mobilisation and therefore she was taken to A&E at St Mary’s Hospital in London. Despite investigations, she was discharged with just a short course of diazepam.

Upon discharge, our client’s condition deteriorated and by the following day she was in severe pain and unable to move her limbs to get out of bed. She was again taken to hospital where she was found to be tetraplegic and immediately considered that a spinal bleed may be a possibility. However, an MRI scan was not carried out until the next day, which confirmed this. It was established that as it had been 3 days since this began, it was too late for surgical intervention.

Our client has been left with almost no function in her lower limbs and right upper arm. She now requires significant care and assistance on a day-to-day basis.

Whilst the Defendant admitted a breach of duty and delay in carrying out an MRI scan, they denied that the delay had caused any significant injury.

The case settled out of court, with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust paying the Claimant £1.2 million plus costs.