Yaser Jabbar cases review: Leigh Day acts for families of children treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital orthopaedic surgeon
Medical negligence solicitors at law firm Leigh Day are acting on behalf of families whose children underwent surgery by Mr Yaser Jabbar, a former orthopaedic surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London. Mr Jabbar is the subject of an investigation and review into the cases of 721 children he treated.
Posted on 09 September 2024
The review by GOSH into Mr Jabbar’s cases comes alongside a confidential investigation into his practice and the wider orthopaedic department by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).
The investigation raised concerns about what has been described as “incorrect and unsuitable” surgeries performed by Mr Jabbar, including a leg lengthening and straightening procedure on a six-year-old boy, as reported by the Times.
Some 37 cases in the GOSH review have already been referred to the RCS for specific investigation, with at least 22 children being found to have come to some degree of harm ranging from muscle and nerve damage to permanent deformity.
At least one child has been required to have an amputation following surgery by Mr Jabbar - who has since given up his licence to practice in the UK and is now listed as working in Dubai - with another under threat of amputation.
GOSH have since issued their “sincere apologies” to those affected, with the report by the RCS also raising concerns about the failure of managers at the hospital to act on concerns raised by staff about Mr Jabbar.
Leigh Day partner Julia Reynolds and solicitor Charlotte Cooper represent families affected by Mr Jabber’s treatment.
Julia Reynolds said:
“We are shocked by the scale of this review and the sheer number of families that will be affected. Clearly this is going to be of grave concern to all the families involved and the quicker the investigations can be completed, the quicker some of these families can have their minds put at rest. We have already been instructed by some families and can offer support to others if needed.”
Anyone who is thinks they may have been affected by care received by Mr Jabbar can contact our clinical negligence team for more information.
Julia Reynolds
Julia Reynolds specialises in Clinical Negligence and heads up the team in Cardiff.
Charlotte Cooper
Charlotte Cooper is a senior associate solicitor in the medical negligence department.
After independent reports into the care of children operated on by Yaser Jabbar were reportedly dismissed as a whitewash by families, Leigh Day partner Julia Reynolds added:
“Families placed their absolute trust in Yaser Jabbar and Great Ormond Street. It is considered to be one of the world's leading paediatric centres.
“When the news first broke, it was devastating to families to think that their children may have been harmed whilst receiving care at GOSH. They feel very badly let down.
“Assurances were given that independent reports would be prepared into all potential children impacted.
“If these reports are based on inadequate records, by a potentially negligent surgeon with no involvement from the families, I cannot see how these reports can be accurate nor reflect the level of harm caused.
“I would urge those preparing the reports to engage with the families involved, hear their experiences and understand the impact of injuries. Only then can these reports have any credibility.”