A guide to negligence claims linked to paediatric orthopaedic surgery errors at Great Ormond Street Hospital

Families of children treated by Yaser Jabbar, a former orthopaedic surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, may be eligible to take legal action based on concerns over serious failings in the quality of care he provided to potentially hundreds of children over a six-year period.

Investigations by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) and independent medical experts have revealed troubling instances of unnecessary surgeries, avoidable amputations, and poor communication with families regarding consent and potential complications. If you have been affected by this case, you may be eligible to make a medical negligence claim for compensation.

What were the circumstances leading to the investigation into Mr Jabbar?

Yaser Jabbar worked as an orthopaedic surgeon, and as an expert in limb reconstruction, at Great Ormond Street Hospital from 2017 to September 2023. During this time, Mr Jabbar performed orthopaedic surgeries on hundreds of patients at the paediatric hospital, until families began raising concerns over the outcomes of their children’s surgeries. This prompted Great Ormond Street Hospital to request a formal investigation by the Royal College of Surgeons, which uncovered a series of troubling findings.

It has been revealed that several children underwent unnecessary surgeries at Mr Jabbar’s recommendation, while others experienced avoidable amputations. For some patients, these surgeries did not offer any clear benefit, and, in many cases, families were not properly informed about the risks involved. Issues surrounding communication, clinical decision-making, and patient consent have all come under scrutiny.

Mr Jabbar’s practices have had a far-reaching impact, with a total of 721 paediatric cases now under review. The hospital has contacted affected families and has issued public apologies, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. Mr Jabbar no longer works at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and has not had a licence to practise in the UK since January 2024. It is now reported that he is working in Dubai.

What are the findings of the RCS review?

Following the concerns raised about Mr Jabbar’s surgeries, Great Ormond Street Hospital initiated an urgent review by the RCS into its entire paediatric orthopaedic service. According to information obtained by the Sunday Times, which broke this story, the cases of all children treated by Mr Jabbar are going to be reviewed during an 18-month process that commenced in April 2024.

Of the 37 cases already reviewed, 22 children have been found to have suffered some degree of harm, with 13 of those cases classified as severe. The extent of this damage ranges from muscle and nerve damage to permanent deformity. At least one child was required to have an amputation following surgery by Mr Jabbar, while another is at risk of a similar outcome.

Additionally, the RCS identified a number of wider systemic cultural issues at Great Ormond Street Hospital. It described a dysfunctional culture where patient safety was undermined by political concerns, hierarchical and outdated management structures, and an environment in which potential safety failings were not taken seriously.

In response to the initial findings of the review and the subsequent media coverage, Great Ormond Street Hospital has apologised publicly, acknowledged the failures in care and outlined steps taken to rectify and learn from the situation.

What will happen next?

The news of Mr Jabbar’s questionable practices has caused significant distress among families whose children were treated by the surgeon. Many families feel that the trust they placed in one of the UK’s leading children’s hospitals has been broken, and they are now seeking justice for the harm caused to their children.

The RCS has called for further investigations into the department where Mr Jabbar worked, and Great Ormond Street Hospital has pledged to accept and act on all of the recommendations arising from the review.

It is widely expected that the hospital trust will now face multiple medical negligence claims on behalf of the children affected, and independent medical experts are being asked to assess the cases as these claims are being put together.

Mr Jabbar also worked privately at London’s Portland Hospital, and it is therefore possible that many more patients, who have not been identified by the Great Ormond Street review, may have come to harm.

How to make a medical negligence claim

If you believe your child has suffered harm due to treatment by Yaser Jabbar, you may have grounds to make a medical negligence claim. In order to succeed in a claim, you must be able to demonstrate that the care your child received fell below an acceptable  standard ie that there was a breach of duty and that this breach directly caused harm.

In the case of Yaser Jabbar, potential grounds for a claim could include:

• Unnecessary surgery: Surgeries that were performed without clear medical justification, where the child derived no benefit.
• Avoidable amputations: Cases where an amputation could have been prevented with appropriate treatment or alternative interventions.
• Failure to obtain proper consent: Situations where families were not adequately informed about the risks of surgery or did not give informed consent.
• Lack of communication: Failure to warn families of potential complications or the long-term impact of surgery.

Each case is unique, and the eligibility for a claim will depend on the specific circumstances of the treatment received and the harm caused. Medical experts will often be required to assess the case and provide opinions on whether the care fell below accepted medical standards.

If you feel that you may have a case, you should get in touch with a solicitor as soon as possible. There is a three-year time limit when making medical negligence claims, meaning claims must be made within three years from the date the negligence occurred, or the date you became aware of it. In the case of children, this three-year time limit does not begin until their 18th birthday; however, it is always advisable to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

How Penningtons Manches Cooper can help

At Penningtons Manches Cooper, our clinical negligence team has extensive experience in handling complex paediatric orthopaedic cases, including those involving Yaser Jabbar. We understand the significant impact that medical negligence can have on both children and their families, and we are committed to helping you navigate the legal process with sensitivity and expertise.

Our team has a deep understanding of the medical and legal issues involved in paediatric orthopaedic surgery claims. Whether your child underwent an unnecessary procedure, experienced an avoidable amputation, or suffered long-term complications due to inadequate care, we are here to support you in seeking justice.

We also have substantial experience in handling amputation claims, and our specialist lawyers are well-versed in securing compensation for children who have experienced life-altering injuries. Our approach is thorough, ensuring that all medical evidence is properly reviewed by leading experts to provide the strongest possible case.

We offer a range of funding options so that families are not deterred from pursuing a claim due to financial concerns. Our no win no fee arrangement means that you will not need to pay any legal fees unless your claim is successful. This allows you to focus on your child’s wellbeing and recovery without the added stress of legal costs.

Penningtons Manches Cooper can provide a free initial consultation, with no obligation to proceed. During this consultation, we will assess your situation, provide an honest evaluation of your claim, and outline the next steps. We will also explain the available funding options, so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.

Contact us on 0800 328 9545 or by using the links above. We are here to help you understand your options and to support you in securing the compensation your child deserves.