Family sue over Chorley teen’s spinal operation (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Family sue over Chorley teen’s spinal operation

3:08pm Friday 30th October 2009 in

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THE family of a Chorley teen left paralysed for life after intricate spinal surgery have launched a bid for seven-figure compensation in London's High Court.

Laura May was just 11 – and trying on clothes while out shopping – when her mother Christine first noticed an anomaly in her upper back which prompted urgent medical attention.

An MRI scan led to a diagnosis of scoliosis, her QC William Featherby told the court, a pronounced curvature of the spine requiring prompt corrective surgery.

Mr Featherby said that, in Laura's case, an operation was needed to resolve a condition.

But, with Laura, the surgery at the Royal Preston Hospital had a tragic outcome, the court heard, leading to paralysis which is almost certainly irreversible.

She was in court this week seated in a wheelchair as her QC mapped out her case, claiming that her current plight could have been avoided had her orthopaedic surgeon taken sufficient care.

Laura, of Kirkstall Close, Chorley, is suing the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – which manages the Royal Preston Hospital – alleging negligence in relation to the February 2005 procedure.

The NHS Trust is firmly defending the case, insisting that medics exercised all reasonable skill and care in Laura’s treatment.