A woman dubbed ‘Miss Back To Front’ after she was born with her organs in the wrong place has won £450,000 compensation – for an operation that saved her life.
Kayleigh Moore, 23, was not expected to live but at the age of four was saved by a pioneering heart transplant.
She survived the surgery but in a tragic twist fell into a coma following complications from the operation at Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Kayleigh developed a form of brain inflammation which left her with permanent brain damage, severely disabled and needing lifelong medical care.
Her mum Eileen Lang sued South West Strategic Health Authority claiming her daughter could have been saved without the pioneering operation.
Kayleigh, of Torquay, Devon, has now been awarded £450,000 in compensation by the High Court in London following a sixteen year legal battle.
Mum Eileen said: ”We will be able to afford our own home for the first time. I have not been able to work full-time because I have been caring for Kayleigh.
”I am pleased that after a long court process the settlement was reached out of court and Kayleigh will live the rest of her life more comfortably.”
Dubbed ‘Miss Back To Front’ because of her rare condition, Kayleigh underwent her first serious procedure at three months old to treat a congenital heart defect.
She was not expected to live but she defied doctors and even met Princess Diana as a child to collect a bravery award.
The hospital denied incompetence, insisting a heart transplant was her only hope.
Richard Smith of South West Strategic Health Authority said: “We are pleased the parties have been able to reach agreement in what is plainly a very difficult case.
“I would like to take this opportunity, on the authority’s behalf, to pay tribute to Miss Lang for bearing the challenges of Kayleigh’s upbringing and continuing care.
“I wish them all the best and hope the settlement goes some way to meeting their needs for the future.”
