A 13-year-old boy stricken by profound disabilities which his lawyers blamed on a medical mishap at a leading heart hospital when he was a few days old will have a £7.3 million compensation package funded by the NHS. Robbie Crane suffered brain damage, resulting in cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, behavioural problems and epilepsy, following surgery to treat congenital heart problems at Harefield hospital in October 1999.
Robbie’s injuries mean he will never lead an independent life or earn his own living. He has no sense of danger and needs intensive supervision from his parents, Barrie and Catherine, whose ‘marvellous’ care was praised on all sides. Robbie was born with a congenital heart defect – the major arteries into his heart were the wrong way round – which required urgent corrective surgery.
He was referred to the hospital after his unusual blue skin tone was noticed by his parents when he was a few days old. The complex ‘switch’ surgery was successful, however his lawyers argued that Robbie suffered hypoxic brain damage in a 15-hour period after the operation because a ventilator had not been adjusted properly.
Through his parents, Robbie sued the Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust which agreed to a settlement of his case without admission of liability. Robbie will receive a substantial lump sum as well as annual, index-linked and tax-free payments to cover the enormous costs of his care for as long as he lives. The total compensation package is valued at £7.3 million.
Mr and Mrs Crane said after the hearing: “This brings to an end a long and challenging legal process but the daily care that Robbie requires will continue for the rest of his life. The settlement means that Robbie will now get everything he needs and our family can start to plan for the future with confidence. We were repeatedly told that there was no chance of securing compensation but our legal team urged us on and so it is a great relief to finally have it decided.”