Family receives six‑figure settlement after Barts Health NHS Trust admits responsibility for clinical trial death of London grandmother

The woman, who we will refer to as Claire, volunteered to undergo a kidney biopsy at Royal London Hospital, Tower Hamlets as part of a clinical trial with the Heroic: The East and North London Diabetes Cohort Study. 

The biopsy took place on 7 December 2022, and Claire was sent home the same day. 

A week after the biopsy, Claire felt severe pain in her kidney area and was admitted to Whipps Cross Hospital, Waltham Forest. She told her family the pain was worse than childbirth and remained it continued throughout her time in hospital.

On 17 December 2022, Claire died following a cardiac arrest. 

An inquest into Claire’s death concluded that she had sustained an injury during the kidney biopsy and died because of complications, contributed to by the trust’s neglect.  

The family were represented by Leigh Day partner and head of clinical negligence, Suzanne White and solicitor Ollie Gyani with support from trainee solicitor, Austin Clavane. 

Following an investigation by the clinical negligence team at Leigh Day the trust admitted liability for Claire’s death and agreed to pay a six-figure settlement.  

Claire’s legal team say the compensation reflects the pain and suffering she endured during her negligent post‑biopsy care and that it includes a bereavement award for her husband and children. These sums recognise the care she would have provided to her family and the financial contribution she would have made to her household. 

Leigh Day partner Suzanne White said:

“Claire’s death was entirely avoidable. It is particularly heartbreaking that she suffered such profound and unnecessary harm after volunteering, out of her own good will, to participate in a study intended to help others. No family should ever have to endure the pain and shock that hers has faced. I hope this settlement brings them some justice and closure.”