Our son, Hudson, barely four years old, survived a life threatening 10x medication overdose caused by a preventable compounding error. In May last year, he was prescribed this medication for long standing sleep issues and was unknowingly given a life threatening amount for 46 nights. The medication bottle was labelled with the intended dose, not the actual dose, meaning the overdose went undetected by multiple professionals, even when concerns were raised, including during a trip to the Emergency Department.

We knew something was wrong. Hudson’s presentation and behaviour had changed significantly, and we were waiting for his follow up paediatrician appointment to request a medication review because this medication cannot be stopped safely without medical guidance. Before that appointment could occur, he was given a new, correctly compounded bottle. It was only then that the overdose became apparent, when he went into active withdrawal with symptoms similar to opiate dependence, including sweating, tremors, twitches, loss of speech, and extreme anger and aggression.

Following the prolonged overdose, Hudson experienced severe developmental regression. There is no clear guidance for cases like his. Prolonged overdose of this nature is non existent in the medical literature, leaving clinicians without a roadmap for treatment. His body had become so dependent that even the smallest reductions were not tolerated. He required a five month weaning process with weekly reviews to manage withdrawal safely. Journal articles are now being written about Hudson’s case to help fill the gaps in the medical literature regarding this medication and its effects in prolonged overdose and withdrawal scenarios.

Hudson recently underwent an MRI under general anaesthetic to assess for an acquired brain injury. For 10 months, we lived with the uncertainty of whether this error had caused permanent damage. Thankfully, his MRI was clear, and with intensive therapy, he has regained much of his lost development, but the impact has been profound and entirely avoidable.

For those same 10 months, we have funded his medically recommended therapy and assessments ourselves. The insurer refused to provide support until the full extent of his injury is known, a process that can take years, placing us under significant financial strain. While this has recently shifted following increased attention on Hudson’s case, support remains limited and only covers the most basic therapeutic needs.

In contrast, adults injured at work can access immediate treatment under WorkCover. Children harmed by medical errors have no such protection, leaving families to fight for the care their child urgently needs.

I am calling for the introduction of Hudson’s Law in South Australia to ensure children harmed by preventable medical errors receive immediate access to therapy, giving them the best chance to recover and reclaim their development.

No child should have to wait for care because of an error caused by a third party.

Please sign this petition to make Hudson’s Law a reality.