A TEENAGER left brain damaged after she developed life-threatening meningitis is in line for a massive payout following legal action against Dorset County Hospital.

The girl was six when she became gravely ill with meningococcal septicaemia, the High Court in London heard. She was rushed to A&E, but sent home the same day.

Now aged 13, lawyers on her behalf sued Dorset County Hospital NHS Trust – which runs the Dorchester hospital – claiming medical negligence.

The trust made no admission of blame – but has agreed to a settlement of the case that guarantees the girl very substantial compensation. The trust’s decision to compromise the case on the basis of 80 per cent of the full value of the girl’s claim was approved by Mr Justice Warby at the High Court.

The amount of damages she will receive over her lifetime has yet to be worked out, but is likely to be a seven-figure sum in light of her extensive care needs.

The judge told the court the girl was taken to A&E at Dorset County Hospital with a high temperature and other symptoms in December 2010.

She was discharged later the same day, but had to be rushed back to hospital the following day after her condition worsened overnight. It was later discovered that she had meningococcal septicaemia and had suffered brain damage as a result of her illness.

Mr Justice Warby said he was satisfied that the 80 per cent compromise was in the girl’s best interests.

He added: “It is obvious to anyone who thinks about it that this must have been a tragic and very painful experience, not only for the girl herself, but also for her family. One can only hope it will not be long, or no longer than necessary, before agreement is reached on the final part of this settlement and this phase of this unhappy experience for this family can be brought to an end.”

The judge waited behind after the brief hearing to speak to the girl’s relatives in private.

After the case, a spokesman for Dorset County Hospital said: “The trust takes caring for its patients very seriously and whilst we are unable to comment on individual cases, we can confirm that a full and robust investigation has been carried out and learning shared with staff across the hospital.”

The legal action comes several months after the announcement of another huge settlement made by the hospital. The Echo reported last October how a boy starved of oxygen during his birth at DCH was to receive more than £9 million in compensation. The boy suffered catastrophic brain damage when he was delivered and was left with cerebral palsy.

DCH NHS Trust accepted liability for what happened at an early stage.