19/08/2010 - E.coli family brings case to court
The family of two young brothers whose kidneys failed because they were infected with E.coli has begun a legal claim for damages against the farm accused of causing it.
Field Fisher Waterhouse, which has served the proceedings, is acting for a total of 25 children and one adult who became infected after visiting Godstone Farm, near Redhill in Surrey, last year.
The farm has rejected any liability for the illnesses developed by Todd and Aaron Furnell, who were at the site on a school trip in August 2009. Now aged three, the twins spent several weeks in hospital when their kidneys failed. Aaron now has 64% kidney function, Todd has 80%. Aaron had to be fed liquids through a tube until recently and both of the brothers still may need to have kidney transplants.
Of the 93 people who got infected with E.coli O157 after visiting the farm, 76 were children under 10 years old. The families are claiming for personal injury and consequential loss.
A report into the incident said the farm failed in numerous ways in its handling of the outbreak, as well as showing several failings in its appreciation of E.coli's risk. And because the farm has not admitted being at fault, its owners may be brought to trial.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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