A woman seeking compensation from a Norfolk hospital after taking over an MRSA sufferer's damages claim could set a legal precedent, a court has heard.

Jenni Simpson, of Kirby Bedon, paid £1 for the claim of Alan Catchpole, who contracted the bug at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2005.

The Civil Appeal Court heard she wanted to highlight alleged failures.

Jeremy Morgan QC, for the hospital, said if upheld it would mean others could buy cases for profit.

I can't believe they are allowed to do that.
If they can the law needs changing to stop it.

I am more open minded about it. If it allows claims to go ahead that otherwise would not happen then it could still result in justice for the victim.

Hardly. The victim has got £1 worth of justice. Any compensation due will go to the buyer, who presumably has the money to fight the claim the victim doesn't. It's got nothing to do with justice and everything to do with speculation for profit.

That's what inspections are for. Better they pay a fine to the government rather than to non-victims and their lawyers.

That's what inspections are for. Better they pay a fine to the government rather than to non-victims and their lawyers.

I agree but if they are not up[ to scratch and fail to find these problems then ambualnce chasing lawyers are the best alternative. I personally would prefer that they took these things seriously even if it cost the hospital something before they waited till it became a legal matter.

Unfortunatly if someone is allowed to "buy" someone elses case then its the firms / lawyers who will gte rich - they will offer someone a few quid and then sue the hospital for thousands. Every pound spend / paid out is one less pound they can spend on treatments

I agree but if hospital trusts avoid dealing with the problems first and effectively endanger patients lives is it wrong to sue them to change their attitudes?

Secondly if hospital inspectors are not doing their job, then it is up to the lawyers to do it for them.

The people affected, no its not wrong for them to sue but to allow people to sell "claims" to someone whos only connection is that they want to ensure they get the maximum amount possible from the hospital. Will only lead to worse and worse care as there is less and less money in the pot.
You dont need to even think about unintended consequences here <shudders> I can see the adverts now... suffred a mishap in hospital then we will pay you 3K, whilst they go for ten or hundreds of thoudands (plus costs of course).

This is one practice that needs to be stamped out now and with predjudice!