Hospital found to be negligent after girl is paralysed

A 13-year-old girl, who was left paralysed after a spinal operation, has won her case against a Middlesex hospital.

Rebecca Ling from Wickford in Essex had the operation to correct the curvature of her spine in 2006 at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

After the surgery, she couldn't move from the neck down and now needs constant care.

Rebecca's family, who are from Wickford in Essex, have now won a High Court claim for negligence against the hospital. The hospital is considering appealing

In a statement the National Orthopaedic Hospital said:

"Rebecca Ling brought a claim for negligence against the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust in relation to surgery carried out in 2006. A trial was held at the High Court of Justice in London over a two-week period at the end of January and beginning of February this year."

"The Trust defended the treatment that had been administered because it had supportive expert evidence. However, the court gave its judgement on 7 March 2011 in Rebecca's favour. The Trust and its staff are very sorry for the outcome Rebecca has suffered. The Trust has reviewed the judgement and taken advice and is intending to seek permission to appeal the judge's decision."

This video shows Rebecca Ling being cared for.

Watch this report from Dan Hewitt.