Sharon Burkill

Recent and notable cases

• April 2024: securing a full admission of liability in a complex birth injury case with multiple causative factors, resulting in cerebral palsy. The value of the claim will now be quantified, and substantial interim damages will be paid to assist with the rehabilitation of the Claimant.
• ANLX December 2023: Failure to diagnose a rare metabolic condition in a child, resulting in permanent acquired brain injury, intractable epilepsy, and cerebral palsy. The client was awarded a lump sum of c£23.7 million pounds (capitalised). Annual payments for care were agreed with the Defendant at £485,000 as part of the overall settlement.
• A child v West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Birth injury/cerebral palsy. Liability admitted. Substantial interim damages secured pending settlement.
• A child v East Surrey Hospital NHS Trust. Birth injury/cerebral palsy.  Liability admitted. Substantial interim damages received pending settlement and clarity of prognosis.
• SC v Bedfordshire Hosp NHS Trust. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer, resulting in extensive additional surgeries, speech impediment and loss – Settled for £270k out of court.
• ABC v GST NHS Trust and Mr X (Private Consultant). Failure to diagnose a post-surgical bowel injury following an ovarian cystectomy procedure performed during an elective caesarean section leading to the development of an abscess, sepsis, and abdominal adhesions. The injury was believed to have arisen from removal of a surgical vacuum drain. The Claimant accepted an award of c£200,000 compensation.
• Mother v West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust. Maternal PTSD arising from birth trauma and labour mismanagement. £65k.
• Claimant (A protected party) v The Wellington Hospital (HCA) and others. Claim related to delay in diagnosis and treatment of post cardiac surgical complications (cardiac tamponade) resulting in acquired permanent brain injury. The Claimant had a very limited life expectancy. Damages agreed in excess of £2 million.
• GD v St George’s Hospitals NHS Trust and others. Negligent post-operative cardiac care/treatment resulting in sepsis. Settlement in excess of £800k
• H (a minor and protected party). Post birth brain injury/cerebral palsy caused by kernicterus/bilirubin toxicity. Liability admitted. Settled in excess of £27m
• JJ v GP and NHS Hospital Trust. Serious injury following a failure by a GP to provide adequate antibiotic treatment for a breast abscess arising from breastfeeding, and a further failure to recognise the development of sepsis resulting in significant tissue loss, psychiatric injury.  Settlement in excess of £700k.