Childhood Meningitis Victim Awarded £4.3 Million

A woman who suffered life-changing injuries after doctors were slow to diagnose her childhood meningitis has been awarded a compensation settlement worth £4.3 million.

Natalie Tuthill, now 21, was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary with a serious illness just before her first birthday. Unfortunately, it took doctors two days to discover that she was suffering from bacterial meningitis. She had to undergo brain surgery, which necessitated drilling bore holes in her skull.

Ms Tuthill was left with uncontrollable epilepsy. Although able to perform many ordinary, everyday tasks herself, she is unlikely ever to work.

Her mother, Carol, pursued a compensation claim on her behalf. Lawyers for Ms Tuthill argued that had the diagnosis been made at an earlier stage, she could have been treated with antibiotics and her injuries would have been prevented.

Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority, which is responsible for the hospital, admitted liability and the compensation settlement was recently approved by the court. Ms Tuthill will receive a lump sum of £1.75 million, as well as £83,300 a year in index-linked payments to cover the costs of her care. The family intends to use part of the settlement towards the cost of moving to a larger house, which will be specially adapted to accommodate Ms Tuthill’s needs. The settlement also includes damages of £150,000 for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.