A DISABLED woman suffered appalling burns when careworkers lowering her into a scalding bath mistook her distress for an epileptic fit, the High Court heard today.

Jeanette De Bono was burnt on 40% of her body surface, with 10% of the injuries being severe, and needed intravenous pain relief after the accident at Eight Ash Court nursing home, Colchester, in August 2002.

Miss De Bono, now 28, has Retts Syndrome and has been in residential care for most of her life since the condition, which causes the regression of sufferers who appear normal at birth, was diagnosed when she was four.

At a hearing in London to approve an agreed award of substantial undisclosed damages, Robert Glancy QC said that, before the accident, Miss De Bono had a severe learning disability, no verbal communication, mobility problems, breathing disturbances, scoliosis and epilepsy.

But her condition was well-controlled with medication and she could walk several hundred yards and lead an active and enjoyable life with trips to restaurants, pubs and cinemas.