Lisa Norris is to claim compensation, which experts believe could run into millions of pounds, for the suffering she has endured and for the damage to her health.
Her family are also consulting lawyers with a view to pressing criminal charges against those responsible for the blunders.
According to an official report obtained by The Sunday Times, the schoolgirl from Girvan, in Ayrshire, was subjected to a dose of radiation almost 60% higher than normal at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow.
The treatment was overseen by three physicists and two administrators who failed to spot the mistake which the health board has blamed on “human error”.
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The schoolgirl and her family discovered that she had been subjected to huge doses of radiation only after being told that the tumour had disappeared. Two consultants visited their home to break the news.
She has developed sores on her neck and ears and could suffer brain damage or be left paralysed. Doctors have told her that she could be dead within five years.
Lisa is to receive pioneering treatment in a recompression chamber at Dundee’s Ninewells hospital in an attempt to repair brain tissue damaged by the overdose. The hyperbaric oxygen treatment, which will last two weeks, is most commonly used for divers with the bends. It is also used for complications of radiation therapy to allow more oxygen to reach damaged areas and help to prevent tissue from dying after being deprived of oxygen in the blood.
The Norris family have instructed Cameron Fyfe, one of Scotland’s leading litigation lawyers, to proceed with a claim for damages against Greater Glasgow health board.
“I can’t imagine they will try to deny that there is negligence,” said Fyfe.
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“If there is a dispute it will be on how much Lisa should get in the way of compensation. Our job will be to obtain medical evidence from independent experts on the damage done to her health.”
One legal expert said that Lisa would receive six-figure damages at the very least.
Lisa’s father Ken said the family was still struggling to come to terms with the news. “I am very angry and bitter about what has happened to her at the Beatson because they mucked up her treatment so badly — I would like to see the five people involved sacked,” he said. The three physicists made the dose up and were overseen by the overlookers and they all missed the mistake.
“It is a complete and utter disaster. They have told us it will take three months to tell us what will happen to Lisa. She doesn’t know whether she’ll be here in a year’s time, five years’ time, whether she will have brain damage or end up in a wheelchair.
“She sat crying for two hours last night and my wife was crying, too, and my son and then I broke down in the end. We feel that the NHS has totally let her down. We put our trust in them and this is what they have done to her.”
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The family have discussed making a complaint about the centre to the police but have not made a decision.
Glasgow health board said: “Upon discovering that the patient had been given the overdose an internal investigation was launched and the health department notified.”