Twin awarded damages following death of 3 year old sister

A 14-year-old girl has been awarded £325,000 in damages following the death of her sister 11 years ago
from meningitis. Her sister, Stevi Donovan died after a cardiac arrest in January 1997 when she was only 3 years old.

The death traumatised her twin sister Charlotte to such an extent, the court awarded substantial damages
to her.

Charlotte had hugged her sister as she lay ill at home. She witnessed Stevi deteriorate and visited her in intensive care.
Charlotte was left with a lot of problems including obsessive compulsive disorder.

Dr Millard, an out-of-hours GP, was contacted by the girls mother, Terri, when Stevi appeared unwell. Dr. Millard
said that she probably had a flu. Terri again rang the doctor later on, but again the doctor dismissed it as flu and
did not offer to visit. Later Stevi developed a rash on her body and was experiencing breathing difficulties.
Terri, again called Dr. Millard who advised her to contact the surgery where another GP saw her and called an ambulance.
Stevi died later in hospital.

Dr. Millard admitted breach of duty but had denied this had caused Charlotte’s problems. He agreed if he had visited
Stevi after the second phone call, he should have referred her and, if he had,
she would have survived. He did question as to whether Charlotte would have developed her conditions even if
she had not been through this experience

The settlement of the claim for clinical negligence, was approved by the judge.