Ryan St George v The Home Office (Oct 2007, RCJQB)
David Pittaway QC and Jane Tracy Forster have won a ruling on liability in favour of the Claimant, Ryan St George. Mr Justice MacKay in the High Court ruled that prison staff at Brixton Prison were responsible for the hypoxic injuries which left him severely brain damaged.
The prison staff were aware that Mr St George suffered from withdrawal fits when in prison. Despite this, he was allocated an upper bunk bed during his sentence. He subsequently suffered a fit when sitting on the bunk and fell 6ft headfirst onto a concrete floor. The judge accepted the expert evidence of Dr Edward Reynolds, consultant epileptologist, that the blow to the head probably caused a status epilepticus to develop. The basic first aid then necessary to keep Mr St George's airway unobstructed pending the arrival of the emergency services was not provided, despite the attendance of a prison doctor and nursing staff. Further errors resulted in a long delay before Mr St George received appropriate first aid. The claimant now requires 24-hour care and will be awarded substantial damages. The Home Office has appealed to the Court of Appeal against the judge's findings and a ruling as to whether the appeal may proceed is awaited. Further information can be viewed on the BBC News website.
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