Re-opening refusal of permission to appeal for failure to undergo medical testing (Clarke v Matthew Poole and others)
PI & Clinical Negligence analysis: The claimant suffered a serious brain injury in a road traffic accident. The defendants’ expert considered she may have pre accident myotonic dystrophy (MD) which would undermine life expectancy and care levels in the claim. Electromyographic neurophysiological (EMG) testing could determine this issue. The claimant refused to have testing. The defendants were granted a stay pending agreement to testing in respect of damages for future loss. The claimant’s application for permission to appeal was refused. They therefore asked for permission to reopen this issue. CPR 52.30 permits reopening of appeals to avoid injustice in exceptional and appropriate circumstances where no alternative effective remedy is available. The court held that refusal to give permission omitted concerns raised about the claimant’s autonomy and detriment to her mental health. Permission to appeal was therefore granted. The appeal application has yet to be heard. Written by Marcus Weatherby, serious injury and clinical negligence solicitor, Pattinson and Brewer Solicitors.