A health authority has decided not to appeal against a High Court ruling over a woman who suffered brain damage in a UK hospital following heart treatment as a baby.
Marianna Telles claimed damages from the South West Strategic Health Authority alleging doctors at Bristol Royal Infirmary were clinically negligent.
A judge ruled against the authority and found for Miss Telles, But the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) immediately announced it would appeal.
That move was refused as the judge ruled it had no grounds to do so, but the NHSLA then considered applying directly to the Court of Appeal.
But the NHSLA has now finally abandoned its attempt to overturn the judgment, and Miss Telles’ family may be in line for a seven-figure settlement.
Family lawyer Laurence Vick, head of clinical negligence at Michelmores, said: “At last Marianna and her family know they will get the financial support which she needs. I am confident that we shall be able to negotiate a settlement without further recourse to the courts.”
A spokeswoman for the NHSLA added: “The case of Marianna Telles was defended on expert evidence which indicated that liability was far from clear cut. This was recognised by the trial judge.
“We now wish to work with the family towards a negotiated settlement to provide for Ms Telles’ needs going into the future.”
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