I was intrigued to read that Jenni Simpson paid £1 for the compensation claim of Alan Catchpole who contracted MRSA at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2005.

Mrs Simpson is seeking compensation from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The Court of Appeal recently heard that Mrs Simpson wanted to pursue a claim to highlight the alleged failures of the hospital.

Mrs Simpson’s late husband was diagnosed with MRSA whilst being treated in the hospital and this prompted her to begin a campaign to raise the issue. Mr Catchpole did not want to pursue a claim himself and so assigned his cause of action to Mrs Simpson. 

Jeremy Morgan QC, representing the hospital argued that if the case were allowed then it would set a legal precedent that would mean others could buy cases for a profit.  Simon Redmayne representing Mrs Simpson stated that Mrs Simpson’s motivation was not financial it was to have the hospitals infection control procedures examined and tested in court.

After a day of legal argument the Judges who heard the arguments for and against Mrs Simpson being allowed to proceed with the case reserved their decision until a later date. I look forward to reading the Judges decisions.