Professional footballer, affected by medical negligence wins multi million pound case.
A tragic error led to the end of a promising and talented career. Radwan Hamed collapsed in 2006, whilst playing a football match for Spurs’ youth team, against Belgian side Cercle Brugge. The talented player, who was only 9 days into his professional career suffered hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - an abnormal thickening of muscle around the heart and collapsed on the pitch.
Radwan, who was only 16 at the time, suffered a catastrophic event and was starved of oxygen to his brain for 16 minutes, whilst waiting for an ambulance. As a result, he is left with life changing injuries and is unable to live an independent life.
Mr Hamed’s claim, which is brought by his father, involved allegations of medical negligence against both Dr Peter Mills, a cardiologist who had screened him 11 months earlier, as well as the medical sports specialists employed at the football club.
Mr Justice Hickinbottom, a High Court Judge ruled that the club was 70% liable and that Dr Mills was 30% liable. The judge indicated that the clubs Doctors made a serious error of judgement when they decided that the talented player was not at risk of HCM.
The Judge stated "It was their responsibility, as specialist physicians and employers, to ensure that relevant risks were identified and communicated to the claimant and his parents to enable them to make an informed decision as to whether to bear them. "In this, they singularly failed."
The claim, which has yet to be valued, is predicted to be worth £5-£7 million pounds.
Although Radwan had been scanned as part of a screening process before signing his contract with Spurs, the Doctor concluded that the scan showed no signs of HCM. That was not sufficient to exclude the condition. Tragically, no further tests were carried out.
A number of professional footballers, including, Fabrice Muamba, have collapsed after suffering from the condition.
The Judge found that the player was not only owed a duty of care as a result of the doctor –patient relationship but also because of the employer – employee relationship.
Radwan’s father, Raymon stated “We are emotionally drained… but we thank God that we are able to provide for his future”
Carlos Lopez, a specialist medical negligence lawyer at Vincents Solicitors said, “ This a tragic case in which the failure to provide follow up tests has led to serious and life changing injury, which is made all the more sad, by the fact that those additional test would have revealed the condition.
“The valuation of £5-£7 million pounds will reflect, not only the claimants loss of earnings but more significantly will reflect the cost of specialist care, therapy and treatment that he will require, for the rest of his life.”
A spokesperson for the club has said, “The club has been supportive of Radwan and his family over the past 10 years and we wish them well for the future."
In cases of maximum severity, it is important to get access to specialist advice and not just rely on solicitors who deal with personal injury. Vincent’s Solicitors has a specialist medical negligence team, who are approachable, compassionate and understanding.
If you have been affected by medical negligence contact Vincents on 0800 310 2000.