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A woman who was injected with cleaning fluid at a hospital as she gave birth has been given the go ahead to sue.
Angelique Sutcliffe, 47, was supposed to be given a spinal anaesthetic before her daughter Abigail’s birth in January 2001, but the drugs were contaminated with chlorhexidine, which is used to clean patients before surgery.
The High Court has now rejected an appeal by Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust in Liverpool against a ruling that it was negligent.
Mrs Sutcliffe, of Crosby, Merseyside, said: “We are delighted with the decision of the appeal court judges to back our claim for compensation.
“I hope that the finding will ensure that procedures in operating theatres are tightened up. I would not want this to happen to anyone else.”
Her solicitor added: “We hope the trust will accept the Appeal Court’s ruling, come to a quick compensation settlement and allow Angelique and her family to move on with their lives.”
A spokesman for Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust said: “The Trust wishes to express its regret to Mrs Sutcliffe and her family for the tragic outcome arising from her treatment at University Hospital Aintree.
“The trust is considering with its legal advisers the judgment which has now been delivered by the Court of Appeal.”
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