Hitting the headlines - from Clinical Negligence to Human Rights
29/03/2006
Thank you so much for handling my case so well. You came to know us at a great time of sadness and you were so kind. We will always remember you as very professional but also very warm hearted.
Sylvia, Tamworth
From high profile Clinical Negligence group actions to controversial human rights cases,
Alexander Harris have been hitting the national and international
headlines with a number of high-profile actions in the past month.
- We represent Natallie Evans in her appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to use her frozen embryos to have a baby.
- We act for the parents of a nineteen month old baby with SMA - spinal muscular atrophy type 1 who is currently on a ventilator in hospital which is keeping him alive.
- We act for two men who became critically ill following participation in a drug trial for the previously untested drug TBN1412.
Frozen Embryo
In March the ECtHR delivered their Judgement on the Natallie Evans Frozen Embryo case. Sadly Natallie was unsuccessful in her bid to be allowed to use her frozen embryos to have a baby.
However although we lost 5-2, the Judgement was considered to be very positive by Natallie's legal team, leaving the way open for her to appeal the decision.
Her solicitor, Partner Muiris Lyons will lodge an appeal to have the decision re-considered by seventeen Judges in the Grand Chamber of the ECtHR.
Right to Life Baby Case - Court refuses Withdrawal of Ventilation
Acting in a landmark legal case - the first of its kind where a Judge was asked to consider withdrawing life-sustaining ventilation from a baby whose cognitive skills were intact, we were successful at a court hearing in winning the right for the baby to continue his life.
The Court authorised doctors to withhold invasive treatments including CPR, blood monitoring and ECG monitoring in the event that MB's condition becomes significantly worse.
Giving Judgment, Justice Holman praised the 'dignity and courage' of the parents of Baby MB.
Baby MB
is aware of his surroundings, and like many children his age enjoys
being read to, listening to music and watching cartoons on television.
He enjoys playing with his parents and his brother and sister. He is
able to show his likes and his dislikes.
This was the first time that a Court had been asked to authorise action which would have brought about the immediate death of a child with normal or near normal cognitive abilities.
The parents of were delighted that their son was given the right to continue to receive ventilatory support. They felt that the Judgment supported their assessment of their son's quality of life and his best interests.
Healthcare Public Law specialist solicitor Chris Gawne, who represents the parents of Baby MB said:
"This was a particularly unusual case as Baby MB is the only baby in this situation known to have cognitive skills, and because if taken off the ventilator he will die almost immediately. Mr Justice Holman said during the hearing that to be asked to make a declaration concerning a child with normal or near normal cognitive abilities was unprecedented."
Drug Trial - Northwick Park Hospital
Over a week ago six men taking part in a drug trial at Northwick Park hospital in North London collapsed after taking the previously untested drug TBN1412. Two of the men subsequently became critically ill.
The firm are representing the family of a 20 year old man, and the family of a 28 year old man.
TBN1412, manufactured by German company TeGenero AG is an anti-inflammatory drug. The drug trials were being carried out by clinical research company Parexel.
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