Hampshire woman awarded £3.45m following gallstone surgery (From This is Hampshire)

Hampshire woman awarded £3.45m following gallstone surgery

3:55pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A Hampshire woman who was brain damaged while undergoing hospital treatment for gallstones has been awarded a compensation package worth £3.45 million.

Grannia East suffered complications after surgery at the Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, in January 2001 and had a cardiac arrest after aspirating her vomit.

The Ministry of Defence, as the body responsible for the hospital, denied liability and took the case to the Court of Appeal on the key question of causation.

But in July 2008 it ruled in Mrs East's favour, and today Mr Justice Ouseley approved a settlement on damages.

Mrs East, 44, who has problems with memory and concentration and is wheelchair-bound, was at London's High Court with her husband Shawn for the hearing.

The judge said that the case contained a strong element of tragedy and also of ''astounding care, love and kindness'' on the part of Mr East and the rest of the family.

''I wish Mrs East all the very best in the future.''

Outside court, Mr East, of Portsmouth, said: ''We have had a very hard fight getting compensation for Grannia but we have a magnificent legal team who fought brilliantly for us all the way.''

He added: ''I am very pleased that the case has now settled before we had to go through another trial.

''It means that we can now get on and adapt a property for Grannia that is a suitable place to care for her.''

Solicitor John White, of Blake Lapthorn, said: ''This is a landmark case and important point of clinical negligence law were decided in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

''Grannia has suffered terrible injuries with tragic effects on her life.

''After the battles establishing liability I am delighted that we have achieved an excellent award, which will meet Grannia's complex care, accommodation and therapeutic needs.''