Through the delay in diagnosing and treating meningitis in Jack when he was a baby, he now lives with a host of lifelong effects and requires 24-hour care.
Jack, now aged ten, has sustained permanent brain damage through the delayed diagnosis – most likely caused by the late onset group B Strep infection – and has epilepsy, visual impairment, severe learning difficulties and global development delay.
With the support of experts at Slater and Gordon, and following extensive investigations, Jack’s family have recently secured an £18million settlement to help provide for his lifelong needs.
The situation dates back to 2011 when Jack’s mother was ten weeks pregnant and tested positive for group B Streptococcus (GBS) and was given oral antibiotics.
When Jack was born prematurely, his mother again tested positive for GBS and Jack was given antibiotics, remaining in hospital for 40 days.
After going home, baby Jack became notably unwell in March 2021 and began to display these symptoms:
- Struggling to breathe (grunting and noisy breathing)
- Crying inconsolably
- Not feeding well or keeping milk down
After his mother took him to hospital, Jack was checked over and then discharged. His medical records do not show that anyone considered his history of Group B Strep during this time.
Unfortunately, Jack’s condition significantly deteriorated, and he was re-admitted to hospital later the same day. By this time, he was also displaying the following symptoms:
- Very sleepy and unresponsive
- Unusually floppy
After being re-admitted, Jack was diagnosed with meningitis and his parents were told his condition was critical. He was given IV antibiotics to try and fight the infection.
Turning to medical negligence specialists at Slater and Gordon for support, following investigations, it became apparent there had been a delay in diagnosing and treating Jack’s meningitis, and that his history of group B Strep, both antenatally and after birth, should have been considered more by the medical professionals who saw him.
Late onset group B Strep is uncommon, but can occur in babies up to the age of three months. The infection presents a very significant risk in newborn babies, especially in those who have been born prematurely, like Jack.
As a result of the delay in diagnosing and treating meningitis, Jack lives with a host of lifelong health concerns and currently requires round-the-clock care.
Laura Preston, principal lawyer, and associate solicitor Emily Welstead led Jack’s case, and agreed a settlement on liability in favour of Jack with the treating hospital. An interim compensation payment was also secured, which was used to fund care and treatment, as well as enabling the family to move to a home more suited to Jack’s needs.
Laura and Emily worked closely with Jack’s case manager to ensure Jack and his family were well supported throughout the process.
To raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of group B Strep, Slater and Gordon is a now partner of the Group B Strep Support (GBSS) charity.
GBSS carry out vital work to raise awareness on the need for more widespread screening of GBS, the warning signs that medical staff should consider where there is a history of group B Strep, and the signs and symptoms of the infection.
This education is vital to ensuring the safety of newborn babies and will hopefully prevent countless future babies experiencing the situation that Jack and his family faced and continue to live with.
To speak to medical negligence specialists at Slater and Gordon about GBS infection, and any concerns around care or treatment, contact them on 0330 041 5869 or online here.
As well as its expert lawyers, the law firm also has trained nurses and midwives as part of its team to help deliver the support and knowledge which can prove vital in such cases.
