Should Lesley Ash Receive £5 Million compensation for a medical negligence claim?
Lesley Ash was admitted to hospital in April 2004 with two broken ribs after falling off a bed at home. Whilst in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital she became infected with a strain of the Hospital Superbug MRSA, MSSA. This has left her using a walking stick and unable to work as an actress. Media coverage has described the amount of compensation as “too much” or “excessive” without analysing why Lesley Ash has been awarded such a significant sum. Every claim for medical negligence includes a claim for compensation for the pain and suffering experienced, which in her case had been significant. However, in terms of the overall value of the claim this will not have been the most substantial part. As a successful actress prior to contracting the superbug Lesley Ash’s earnings would have been substantial and it is the loss of these earnings since contracting the superbug in 2004 until now, and also from now until she would have retired, that will form the most substantial part of the claim.
Lesley Ash was admitted to hospital in April 2004 with two broken ribs after falling off a bed at home. Whilst in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital she became infected with a strain of the Hospital Superbug MRSA, MSSA. This has left her using a walking stick and unable to work as an actress. Media coverage has described the amount of compensation as “too much” or “excessive” without analysing why Lesley Ash has been awarded such a significant sum. Every claim for medical negligence includes a claim for compensation for the pain and suffering experienced, which in her case had been significant. However, in terms of the overall value of the claim this will not have been the most substantial part. As a successful actress prior to contracting the superbug Lesley Ash’s earnings would have been substantial and it is the loss of these earnings since contracting the superbug in 2004 until now, and also from now until she would have retired, that will form the most substantial part of the claim.
