£1.9m will help Sophie lead a normal life

The parents of Sophie Cordell, awarded £1.9 million after undiagnosed meningitis led to irreversible brain damage, said the money will help her live a normal life.

Sophie, eight, of Barrow Point Avenue, Pinner, was a healthy baby until she caught meningococcal septicaemia at five months.

Kim Cordell and Selma Cordell-Harris sued Brent and Harrow Health Authority for negligence in the High Court, claiming it had been slow to diagnose the disease.

The authority said that although it did not admit liability, it had agreed to pay £1.9 million as the case was a finely balanced one in which it was difficult to say what had caused Sophie's condition.

Her parents said: "Sophie suffered serious brain damage which medical opinion expected most children of her age would not have survived.

"She has continued a magnificent fight to lead a normal life and, despite severely impaired mobility, has managed to attend mainstream school."

Mr Cordell said the money would help Sophie "maximise her chances of personal development, and lead a dignified life with as much independence as possible".

The authority said the settlement was in the best interests of all. It had been planned for and patient services would not be affected.

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