02/08/2012

6ft 5 Woman Awarded Damages For Undiagnosed Tumour

A woman who grew to be 6ft 5ins tall due to an undiagnosed tumour has received over £1m in damages from an NHS Trust.

Kate Woodward, 20, bought High Court proceedings against Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over her treatment at St James's University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary.

Ms Woodward's pituitary gland, which went untreated between October 2001 and September 2005, led to excessive growth and bone abnormality. The condition disrupted her childhood, schooling and friendships.

The trust admitted clinical negligence but disputed the amount it should pay. They were willing to hand out £700,000 but must now give Kate just over £1.2m.

Her counsel, Stephen Grime QC told the judge: "We say it is a case where you should approach the matter on the basis that her life has been ruined.

"Not taken away, not completely ruined, not in the same category as a brain-damaged tetraplegic, but in a whole series of ways her life has been grievously affected.She is acutely conscious of her size and she feels it has marked her out as a freak."

Kate still must endure unpleasant treatment and still needs frequent injections.

(GK)

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