SQ24C50017 - [2025] EWHC 2078 (Fam)

Dr Hogarth describes the presence on CT scans taken on 8 May 2024 of fresh subdural bleeds mainly over the right cerebral hemisphere and the presence on a subsequent MRI scan on 10 May 2024 of fresh subdural bleeds over both hemispheres and a thrombosed bridging vein. There was also evidence of hypoxic-ischaemic injury to the right cerebral hemisphere.

The fresh subdural haematoma seen on the CT scan was no older than 29 April 2024 and the SDH seen on the MRI scan could be dated between 7 and 9 May 2024.

The time determined by the Court as the time when P was last seen well may be the best indicator of when the causative event occurred.

If P does not suffer from any relevant underlying medical condition, the most likely cause of the identified injuries is inflicted trauma by a shaking mechanism.

A single event could account for the findings on the neuroimaging. The possibility that there was more than one event cannot be excluded, but it is not required to explain the neuroradiological findings.