Clinical negligence compensation awarded after MMR battle

Posted 31/08/2010

Clinical negligence compensation has been awarded to a family after a lengthy legal battle to prove the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine caused a young man’s disabilities.

Robert Fletcher, now 18, was given the immunisation in 1997, but had a seizure ten days later and suffered brain damage so severe he is no longer able to stand, talk or feed himself.

His mother Jackie sought compensation from the government, but her original claim was turned down.

However, she continued to battle the Department of Health, basing her case on the fact that Robert was a healthy 13-month-old before he was given MMR.

Now, a medical panel has ruled in her favour and she has been awarded £90,000 in what could be a landmark case for other families who believe they were negatively affected by MMR.

“The seizure occurred ten days after the vaccination. In our view, this cannot be put down to coincidence,” the experts said.

Pressure group Jabs states on its website that the current method of reporting reactions to vaccinations is “wholly ineffective” and needs to be changed.