A Wrexham solicitor, acting on behalf of a woman left paralysed after being injected with cleaning fluid, has welcomed a court of appeal ruling today.
Rachael Vasmer, a partner with Walker Smith Way solicitors in Wrexham, has represented Angelique Sutcliffe from Crosby during her long legal fight for compensation. Today, the Court of Appeal in Seven years ago during the birth of her daughter, Abigail, at Fazakerley hospital, Angelique Sutcliffe was given an anaesthetic contaminated with chlorhexidine – a fluid used to clean patients before surgery. It caused a rare condition called chronic adhesive arachnoiditis. Rachael Vasmer, from Pwllglas near Ruthin, said: “This has been a very tough legal fight to establish what happened to Angelique during what should have been a routine caesarean section. “Spinal anaesthetics are given thousands of times every year for this type of procedure and do not result in the devastating injuries that Angelique suffered. “The judge found that this had been a difficult procedure, with multiple attempts to insert the needle in Angelique’s back. As a result, there was a breach of procedure which allowed cleaning fluid to get into the anaesthetic, and the judge decided that this was negligent. “We are delighted with the decision of the appeal court judges to back our claim for compensation.” The injuries suffered by Angelique affected her brain and the whole of her spine, leaving her with no movement in her legs, little trunkal support, limited use of her arms and hands and other complications.
Her long term partner, Kevin Mott, 46, has had to give up his job as a self-employed builder, to look after her and their two children, Phillip, 15, and Abigail, seven.
Angelique Sutcliffe and Rachael Vasmer
Rachael said: “Life is extremely difficult for Angelique and her family.
“We first won this case nearly a year ago but have had to fight on after the hospital trust filed an appeal.
Kevin Mott and Angelique Sutcliffe
“Angelique has been very anxious during this latest court case.“She went to the original hearing in Liverpool every day and also to the Court of Appeal in London last month and sat through the account of her ordeal once again."
“She and her family would like to see this case settled and an interim compensation payment awarded to ease their financial difficulties.”
The eventual compensation payout is expected to be seven figures.
Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust can seek permission to appeal to the House of Lords.
Rachael 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.”
Rachael Vasmer is one of the region’s most respected clinical negligence specialists.
Walker Smith Way employs more than 170 people at its two offices in Chester and Wrexham.
It is one of the leading firms of solicitors in the region successfully competing with firms based in the major conurbations.
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For more information or to arrange an interview with Rachael Vasmer, please contact Tracy North at Outwrite PR on 01352 706260 or 07885 943402
