Abigail Stamp

Abigail is vastly experienced in this field. She is tactically aware and very familiar with the procedural regime having dealt with numerous cases involving issues such as non disclosure of records, non service of a claim form, limitation arguments, applications to resile from admissions and mediation. She is familiar with all aspects of quantum including those involving disputed capacity evidence, short life expectancy accommodation claims, PPO’s and provisional damages. Cases include those arising out of:

• Poor management of labour resulting in brain injury, Erb’s palsy, still birth and psychiatric injury to the mother. She has also acted in a case involving the misdiagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy resulting in the termination of a healthy embryo.
• Medication failures leading to stroke and serious disability.
• Surgical negligence including claims relating to substandard orthopaedic, obstetric, general and neuro surgery.
• Anaesthetic negligence including mishaps resulting in death and blindness.
• Delays in diagnosis including those relating to appendicitis, peritonitis, cancer, glaucoma, cauda equina and stroke. Also cases in which an organic condition has been misdiagnosed as a psychiatric presentation.
• Nursing negligence including falls, pressure sores and a self-inflicted bowel perforation as a result of inadequate training in the use of an anal irrigation system.
• G.P. negligence including the delayed diagnosis of cancer, substandard performance of minor surgery, and failures to refer patients, such as those with severe infections or recurrent colitis, into secondary care.
• Poor performance of cosmetic surgery including facial peels, breast implants, rhinoplasty and labiaplasty.
• Systemic failings such as mixed up biometry results prior to cataract surgery, failure to recall following adverse x-ray or ECG findings, protracted delays in the provision of treatment or the making of tertiary referrals.
• Fatal accident cases or claims under Article 2 ECHR which arise out of suicide in circumstances where the deceased was a voluntary or compulsory in patient at the time of death.
• Secondary victim cases arising out of the witnesses of traumatic events in hospital or a care home. Also a claim for nervous shock as a result of a Father witnessing the traumatic delivery of his child.

Notable Clinical Negligence & Healthcare cases

• Re: ABC 2021
  

  A fatal accident claim arising out of anaesthetic failures. The deceased was 29 and the claim was brought on behalf of his fiancée, step child and unborn baby. Settled for a substantial sum at mediation.

• PD v Care UK Ltd
  

  A claim arising out of an alleged failure by a call handler to properly follow the NHS 111 algorithm of questions leading to a delay in diagnosing cauda equina syndrome, bowel and bladder dysfunction and the need to self catheterise.

• Re: BG 2019
  

  A claim arising out of the non administration of thrombolysis. As a result the Claimant suffered brain damage resulting in epilepsy and hemianopia. The Trust initially admitted liability but sought to resile from their admission some 6 years later resulting in a contested application which was resolved in the Claimant’s favour. The matter settled shortly thereafter at a JSM for the sum of £512,000.

• ZM v AB University Health Board - May 2018
  

  Birth injury resulting in shoulder dystocia and Erbs palsy. Complex issues relating to employment evidence, disability and disadvantage on the labour market. Settled at JSM in the sum of £430,000.

• NK v Dr J - March 2018
  

  Failure to diagnose choroidal neovascularisation resulting in loss of vision in circumstances where the opposite eye was also at risk of damage. Settlement on a provisional damages basis was secured.

• RO v ABM UHB- March 2017
  

  It was alleged that the patient had been given inadequate information as to the treatment options available prior to undergoing the insertion of an intracranial pressure bolt, and that the neurosurgical access point used was negligent. The result was a post-operative haematoma and hemiparesis. Led by Richard Booth QC. The case settled 2 days before a liability only trial in the sum of £650,000.

• VP v RCH NHS Trust August 2017
  

  A tragic claim relating to a delayed diagnosis of cancer resulting in the death of a single Mum. The elder child took responsibility for caring for her younger sibling, who had not had contact with her Father since birth. The question of apportionment required careful consideration. Settlement approved in the sum of £365,000.

• Various Claimants v Nuffield Health/ Western Area Health NHS
  

  Advising in a number of cases arising out of suboptimal orthopaedic surgery performed at an NHS referral centre. The poor surgical outcomes at one of the referral centers in question was identified in a Panorama investigation. The majority of these cases arose out of hip and knee replacements and poorly performed cruciate ligament repairs (e.g. due to the introduction of infection, poor placing of prosthesis, poor cement technique, inadequate consent etc). In the most serious a retired Claimant required 10 remedial procedures, one of which was complicated by infection and a stroke. He experienced pain and disability and there was a risk of amputation. The claim settled for £385,000.