Children who suffered harm at the hands of a surgeon currently at the centre of a major investigation should receive interim compensation payments, legal representatives have urged.
Last year, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) initiated a review into the treatment of 723 children under the care of consultant orthopaedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar.
While full compensation claims could take “many years” to conclude, interim payouts could provide immediate support for vital medical needs, including therapy, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Solicitor Caroline Murgatroyd of Hudgell Solicitors, who represents several families impacted by Mr Jabbar’s care, stated: “What we really want to do is try and secure interim payments of compensation for the children as soon as possible.
When bringing a claim for clinical negligence, the ultimate resolution to that case is a payment of compensation. You can only settle a claim in full and final settlement when you are fairly sure of the outcome for that child into the future as a result of the treatment they’ve received.
Full settlements could take many years because children need time to develop before their prognosis can be reasonably predicted into the future.
Interim damages allow a child to access some of their compensation earlier than a full and final settlement, so they can use those damages to fund treatment, therapy, or rehabilitation to improve their current condition, whilst the full and final settlement is awaited.”
Review Uncovers Widespread Harm
In 2022, GOSH launched an external investigation into its paediatric orthopaedic service following concerns raised by staff and patient families. The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), which led the initial review, identified significant concerns regarding Mr Jabbar’s medical practice.
Following these findings, the hospital began a detailed examination of every case involving the surgeon.
Independent experts found that, among the first 37 cases reviewed, 22 children had suffered harm, including 13 identified as having experienced ‘severe harm’. By 24 January, a total of 217 patient cases had been assessed.
The full extent of harm across all 723 patients is expected to be published at the conclusion of the investigation, which is anticipated to take approximately 18 months.
GOSH has also confirmed it is liaising with four other hospitals where Mr Jabbar previously practised. Mr Jabbar, once regarded as a specialist in lower limb reconstruction, no longer holds a licence to practise medicine in the UK, with his registration ending in January 2024.
Families Continue to Come Forward
Lawyers continue to be contacted weekly by families who believe their children may have been affected. Ms Murgatroyd, who leads the legal team at Hudgell Solicitors handling the claims, noted: “We are contacted by families on a weekly basis relating to this case, and more people have come forward as they have received new information.
We have also been contacted by a large number of families whose children were treated by Mr Jabbar but they are still awaiting extra information and reports.”
She added that in several severe harm cases, alleged failings included botched surgeries, inadequate measures to prevent nerve damage, and potential missed opportunities to avoid amputations.
“Some of her clients face the risk of possible amputations, further surgeries, and many have been left with pain and leg length discrepancies,” she said.
A spokesperson for GOSH offered an apology, stating: “We are deeply sorry to the patients and families who have been let down while in our care. Independent experts are working as quickly as possible to review the orthopaedic care given by a surgeon who no longer works at the trust.
It is important these reviews are thorough and that each patient and family receive the information they need. We are on track to complete this work within 18 months, as planned. We send quarterly updates to families who are awaiting their review to keep them informed of our progress and regularly update our website.
We want to provide as much support as we can to families and, where they submit claims, we will work to ensure the legal process can be resolved as quickly as possible.”
