Man compensated for drug infection

A man who was infected with the hepatitis C virus has won £75,000 in compensation at the High Court in London.

Peter Doyle was 14 when he was diagnosed with a condition which reduces the body's ability to fight infections.

In 1991 he was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London, with a drug which was contaminated with the virus.

He received intravenous doses of a drug called Gammagard for immunoglobulin deficiency, but no-one knew that some batches were infected with hepatitis C.

Underlying condition

He was diagnosed with the, as yet incurable, infection in March 1994 when he was 17.

Mr Doyle, 26, from Ulverston, sued the producers of Gammagard - Baxter Healthcare.

On Friday they agreed to settle his case for £75,000 plus his legal costs.

The company also agreed that Mr Doyle could return to court to ask for more money if his condition worsens due to the virus.

The judge Mr Justice Douglas Brown said he was satisfied at the level of compensation due to the hepatitis C rather than his underlying condition.

Mr Colin McCaul QC, for Baxter Healthcare, wished Mr Doyle "the very best for the future" on the company's behalf.