Awards and settlements

£1.4 million settlement for missed diagnosis

A man who developed a spinal infection due to a missed diagnosis has received a lump sum of £1.4 million in a settlement. He developed a spinal infection which developed into discitis and an abscess, causing spinal cord compression and permanent injury to his thoracic spine. He had sought medical advice on four occasions before receiving the correct diagnosis. Stewarts said he had a history of hepatitis C and previous intravenous drug use, and he felt his past drug use was a factor in how he was treated and that his complaints were not taken seriously because of this. He was eventually admitted to hospital and was transferred for urgent spinal surgery at another hospital.