A Punchbowl family is suing the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network after their daughter was left permanently disabled by a brain injury they claim she suffered in its care as a newborn in 2019.
Share and Follow

A Punchbowl couple is suing the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network after their daughter was left permanently disabled by a brain injury they claim she suffered in its care as a newborn in 2019.

Now six years old, Tomi Onakoya has just learned to walk.

“She’s not talking yet, no words at all,” her mother, Olamide, told 9News.

A Punchbowl family is suing the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network after their daughter was left permanently disabled by a brain injury they claim she suffered in its care as a newborn in 2019.
A Punchbowl family is suing the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network after their daughter was left permanently disabled by a brain injury they claim she suffered in its care as a newborn in 2019. (Nine)

“Tomi can’t do anything by herself, I feed her, bathe her, do everything.

“She’s happy because we show her love.”

Her injury is now the focus of a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.

Tomi was born 10 weeks premature in February 2019 and spent months in different hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

It will be up to a Supreme Court judge to decide whether there is enough evidence to prove that the hospital is responsible for Tomi's injury.
It will be up to a Supreme Court judge to decide whether there is enough evidence to prove that the hospital is responsible for Tomi’s injury. (Nine)
Tomi's injury is now the focus of a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network.Tomi was taken back to Westmead, where doctors later discovered she had bleeding on the brain, which was described in a medical report as "highly concerning" for a "shaking injury".
Tomi’s injury is now the focus of a lawsuit in the Supreme Court against the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. (Nine)

“Every day, we were in the hospital,” Olamide said.

“We trusted them so much.”

There, in April that year, Tomi’s father, Matthew, claims he watched a female health worker examine her.

“During that process, I saw my daughter’s head went like this, her head flip forward and backwards,” Mathew said.

Afterwards, Matthew claims doctors observed Tomi’s eyes rolling back in her head.

Three days later, she was discharged.

Then, after three weeks at home, Tomi had a medical episode, stopped breathing and started turning blue.

“I said to my wife, ‘get on triple zero, get the paramedics straight away’, we thought she was going to die,” Matthew said.

Matthew also wants the hospital to release all of Tomi's medical records.
Matthew also wants the hospital to release all of Tomi’s medical records. (Nine)

Tomi was taken back to Westmead, where doctors later discovered she had bleeding on the brain, which was described in a medical report as “highly concerning” for a “shaking injury”.

Matthew told 9News they were warned that hospital staff had called police.

“She said to me they’ve called the police and they’re coming for us,” he said.

“It was unbelievable, it was so unbelievable,” her mother said.

The NSW Police Child Abuse Unit investigated, but dropped the case, finding that “the injuries … cannot be linked to … when [Tomi] returned home.”

Police records show a doctor told officers, “whilst … it was likely not to have occurred in hospital, she was unable to rule out the possibility it was caused at one of the hospitals she has been at since birth”.

Matthew also wants the hospital to release all of Tomi’s medical records.

There, in April that year, Tomi's father, Matthew, claims he watched a female health worker examine her.
Tomi’s father, Matthew, claims he watched a female health worker examine her. (Nine)

A spokesperson for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network told 9News “as this matter is before the court, we are unable to provide comment at this time”.

“I want justice for my daughter,” Matthew said.

“I can’t wait for that day when she can say mum, because I’ve poured all of my heart into looking after Tomi,” Olamide said.

It will be up to a Supreme Court judge to decide whether there is enough evidence to prove that the hospital is responsible for Tomi’s injury.

The case will return to court next week.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Australia’s Risk of Trump Disapproval for Military Spending Following NATO Increase

Australia is standing firm on defence spending targets despite European nations vowing…

Thailand’s Decision to Make Recreational Cannabis Market Illegal Again

Three years after decriminalisation, Thailand is tightening control of cannabis by banning…
Surfwear promoted by online retailer SurfStitch.

Australian company goes bankrupt as it faces legal action from Nike over $237,000 debt.

The world’s largest sportswear company will be in court next week as…
CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand.

Trump demands CNN reporter to be dismissed and ousted disrespectfully.

Donald Trump has singled out a CNN journalist and demanded she be…

ABC Reports Failures, as Lattouf’s Attorney Requests ‘Substantial Penalties’

The ABC has acknowledged failures in its handling of journalist Antoinette Lattouf’s…
Oberton snow

Cold Weather to Continue Throughout Weekend with Freezing Temperatures due to Ice Blast

Australia’s south will once again feel an icy nip in the air…
At the same location 24 hours earlier, a hooded figure is seen running in and out before the shop goes up in flames.

Police search for a self-employed arsonist who targeted businesses with 9 months between incidents

Police are stepping up their hunt for a serial firebomber who detectives…
Australian $50, $20, $10 and $5 banknotes and dollar coins.

Important Tax Reminder: 142,000 Individuals Didn’t Heed ATO Warning Last Year

There is such a thing as being too organised when it comes…