05/08/2009

Brothers 'Win' Hospital Poisoning Case

An eight-year legal battle has been won after a Merseyside hospital admitted effectively poisoning two brothers.

Liam McNeely, 35, and his brother Paul, 39, received blood transfusions for a rare form of anaemia at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

But it emerged while their blood lacked iron, their organs were storing too much from the treatment they were given, and they were being poisoned.

The mother of the victims have now spoken about their eight-year legal battle for compensation.

She spoke out after the Royal Liverpool hospital paid substantial out-of-court settlements after admitting excess iron had been fed into the men's bodies for more than 25 years.

The hospital said it admitted liability and the pair received an undisclosed out of court settlement.

It will pay for the care they need for the rest of their lives said their mother, Linda McNeely.

Liam now suffers diabetes and osteoporosis, while his brother relies on constant help from carers and their parents.

Mother Linda, 60, said last night: "As a family we are still devastated with what's happened. No amount of compensation could ever replace the normal family life which has been taken away from us, or relieve the ongoing stress we have to endure."

The iron poisoning spread into all of the brothers' vital organs, which could have proved fatal.

Paul, 39, is now totally dependant on his parents and has the support of regular carers.

He continues to suffer neurological health problems in the form of confusion, insomnia and mood swings.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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