Man receives 3.2m pounds over meningitis delays

A meningitis victim left severely brain damaged after a hospital failed to initially diagnose his condition has been awarded 3.2 million pounds.

Mark Thomas, from Walsall, was 12 years old when doctors failed to recognise his worsening symptoms after his family took him to hospital.

Birmingham High Court heard that if the delay had not taken place, Mr Thomas, who is now 20, would not have been left with irreparable brain damage.

Walsall NHS Hospital Trust admitted liability in the case while Walsall Manor Hospital apologised to Mr Thomas and his family.

Commenting, the family’s solicitor Tim Deeming, of Irwin Mitchell law firm, said: “If they’d have acted earlier Mark could have been admitted to hospital, given antibiotics and Mark would have been fine.

“All this could have been avoided – if prompt action had been taken by the hospital.”

Mr Thomas’ mother Elaine Thomas added: “It is so upsetting to think that all the plans and ambitions he had as a young lad will now never be realised.”