Teenager wins £2m in damages
A disabled teenager was awarded £1.95million compensation from Basildon Hospital yesterday, because medics failed to spot a tumour.
Joshua Pinnell, from Crays Hill, was just three in January 1994, when he began to suffer recurring headaches, deteriorating vision and hallucinations.
He underwent CT scans at Basildon Hospital, doctors didn't spot the symptoms of an underlying tumour on the pituitary gland.
language=_javascript_>
</SCRIPT>
By the time the correct diagnosis was made, it was too late, the High Court heard.
The tumour was removed in 1994, but had destroyed Joshua's vision and left him on life-long medication.
Joshua, who is now 16 and has just finished his GCSEs, sued the hospital trust through his mother Rebecca Pinnell, for negligence in failing to detect the tumour in time.
The trust admitted liability.
After the decision Mrs Pinnell said: "We're just glad it's over. He has been through such a lot.
"I still worry about the future, but at least this is one chapter over. The money will help up to a point, but he will still have to work."
Justice Treacy commended Joshua's courage and spirit in tackling his disabilities. He added that Joshua has battled with a "dreadful affliction" caused by the hospital.
1:47pm Tuesday 11th July 2006
http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/display.var.827063.0.teenager_wins_2m_in_damages.php
