A DAD who lost his vision because of negligent medical treatment has has been awarded a £1.4 million pay out from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Wuttipong Sumsard, of Malton, contracted tuberculosis in September 2010 and was treated at Leeds General Infirmary, but as part of his treatment was given some medication that resulted in him completely losing his vision.

After a six year legal battle, liability has been admitted by the trust and Mr Sumsard has been awarded a £1.4 million payment and £85,000 per year to pay for carers for the rest of his life.

Clare Langford, a clinical negligence specialist from law firm Higgs & Sons, who represented Mr Sumsard, said: “Losing his vision has turned Mr Sumsard’s life completely upside down. He went from being a hard-working, independent man to being totally dependent on his wife and also to a certain extent his two young children.

“It also meant that his wife had to increase the hours that she worked, as well as look after Mr Sumsard and the children: it had a completely devastating effect on the whole family.”

Mr Sumsard contacted Higgs & Sons, which instructed top medical experts. They examined Mr Sumsard’s medical records and concluded that the treatment he received for his TB resulted in him losing his vision.

Ms Langford added: “We presented a strong case to the NHS to say that Mr Sumsard’s treatment had been negligent, and that as a result of that he had gone blind – something that could have and should have been avoided.

“Thankfully the NHS has now accepted that it was their wrongdoing and we have been able to secure him the compensation he needs to get his life back on track and really improve the quality of life for him and his family.”

Mr Sumsard said: “It is all very sad - my son and daughter are very upset that I cannot see. But thank you to Higgs & Sons and to Clare for all of their help.”

In a letter to Mr Sumsard, Julian Hartley, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I offer my sincere and unreserved apologies on behalf of the trust for the failure to provide the level of care you were entitled to expect. I would also like to apologise for the distress these events have undoubtedly caused you and your family.”

Dr Yvette Oade, chief medical officer for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “This is a sad situation and our chief executive has personally written to apologise to Mr Sumsard for shortfalls in the care he received in 2010.

“We are pleased that a settlement has now been reached and hope that it will enable Mr Sumsard to move forward with his life.”