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Parents to sue over ‘failings’
Birth place: The maternity unit at Sharoe Green Hospital, Fulwood
A family today spoke of their fight for justice for their son after he suffered catastrophic brain damage.
Wheelchair-bound Amos Mason, 22, is severely physically and mentally disabled and will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life, as well as a host of specialist equipment.
His family has launched a legal battle and are seeking damages of more than £300,000 from North West Strategic Health Authority over his treatment between 1990 and 1999.
His parents Ruth, 46, and Glen, 54, say providing Amos with the care he needs is an on-going struggle but they hope if they win their case lessons will be learned so that no other parents have to go through the same nightmare.
If Amos’ case is successful he will eventually receive compensation to provide the 24-hour care package he will need for the rest of his life which will be calculated according to his needs.
Amos’ case is that a thyroid problem he developed following his birth at Sharoe Green Hospital, Preston in 1989 went undiagnosed by doctors for several years and this caused him to collapse in 2001, when he was 11, and suffer devastating brain damage.
It is alleged that, despite numerous visits to doctors at the hospital, tests were not carried out meaning the dangerous thyroid condition was not detected and it was not treated.
Ruth, of Cottam Lane, Ingol, Preston, said: “Taking care of Amos is incredibly hard on the whole family and his injuries have had a massive effect on all of our lives.
“Our whole lives revolve around trying to ensure Amos is properly taken care of.
“I gave up working in my parent’s equestrian business to care for him full time and Glen divides his duties as a farmer with caring for him.
“Because of his condition, Amos is very heavy and giving him the care he needs takes a huge physical toll and he needs a range of specialist equipment.
“Our main priority has, and always will be, trying to ensure Amos is comfortable and has the best possible quality of life.
“We also feel it is crucial that the care provided to Amos is thoroughly investigated as we believe that critical errors were made that have devastated his future. It is vital no one else has to endure the same suffering as Amos.”
Sue Taylor, the Mason family’s medical negligence lawyer at JMW Solicitors, said: “Amos was catastrophically brain damaged when he was 11 and his parents will have to cope with his significant injuries for the rest of their lives.
“While Amos did suffer some health problems following his birth, there were many missed opportunities to help him and stop the damage becoming as severe as it eventually did.
“Without these failings, Amos would have received the treatment he urgently needed and would have been spared the catastrophic brain damage he suffered.”
A spokesman for NHS North West said: “Whilst we are unable to comment on individual cases due to patient confidentiality legislation, we are committed to helping and will assist the family and their legal team with their enquiries.”
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Weather for Preston
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: West
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Sunny spells
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