Shine news
1st December 2025
Elsie’s shunt failure at age 3 was misdiagnosed, causing lasting harm. Her family now seeks compensation to support her ongoing care, therapies, and educational needs after medical negligence.
When Elsie was 3 years old, her shunt failed. A hospital scan showed the problem, but it was not reviewed properly by the doctor as it should have been. This negligent delay meant the malfunction went untreated for several weeks, during which time Elsie became increasingly unwell and suffered permanent injury.
Elsie had been born healthy and, after early surgery for hydrocephalus, was developing normally. She crawled, walked and talked on time, and was an active, happy toddler. After the shunt failure, however, she lost skills she had already gained. Over the following year, she needed several further operations before the shunt was replaced.
Since then, Elsie has struggled with mobility, she cannot run or jump like her peers and has been diagnosed with global developmental delay. She now attends a special needs school and requires one-to-one support. The family has had to adapt their home with a downstairs bedroom and bathroom, and her mother reduced her working hours to care for her and attend frequent hospital and therapy appointments.
Through a compensation claim pursued with our legal panel solicitors, the family are seeking funds for home adaptations, specialist therapies, equipment, extra care, and educational support. While this cannot undo the harm, it will give them greater security and help ensure Elsie receives the support she needs for the future.
Read more about Shine's Legal Service here: www.shinecharity.org.uk/legal